A Sign of Progress or Just Paper? Aldi Store Rumored

White paper now covers the front glass of the vacant Inca and Pier 1 buildings. Is it a sign of progress or just paper?

New white paper now covers the front glass of the vacant Inca and Pier 1 buildings. Is it a sign of future progress or just paper?

We’re not quite sure what, if anything,  is going on with the long vacant Inca computer store building on Newman street in Dearborn but new white paper is now covering the store’s glass front.  

That’s usually a sign construction is taking place inside.  Unless, that is, it’s a property owned by Norm Newman. Then all bets are off because nothing is quite typical with a Newman-owned property.

And the Inca building is just that, a Newman property. So too is the adjoining and vacant Pier 1 store, which also has new white paper covering its glass front. We stopped to look inside (conveniently, there are carefully cut viewing squares in the white paper for passersby to look inside) and both buildings are just as deserted as they were when the white paper wasn’t taped to the glass. However, we are keeping our fingers crossed something might emerge.

We have heard all sorts of rumors about what might go into these two vacant buildings, including a new grocery store that would occupy both properties (including German store chain Aldi, who offers food at prices below Wal-Mart).  But without confirmation from Mr. Newman, it still is just that, a rumor. We haven’t yet been able to reach Newman to inquire what might be happening to these buildings — one of many vacant eyesores he owns in Dearborn — but when we do we will post it here.  Stay tuned . . .

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  • Lewis

    Let’s hope it is just a rumor. the better thing would be to have Trader Joe’s, which is also owned by the Aldi family.

  • allen

    How do you expect to find out before, or if someone goes into the store, because I’m not sure even Newman doesn’t know, because he is so out of it.

  • vaweja

    although it sure would be nice to have SOMETHING in one of the numerous vacant buildings in downtown west dearborn, i am very hesitant of becoming excited for a discount food store.

  • dearborn 48128

    A Trader Joes would be perfect to help revive that area.

  • Michael D. Albano

    Like most of America, downtown west Dearborn is in major trouble While I truly believe the toxic economy is one major reason, I also believe there are other issues our city is not addressing all that well about DTWD. But I’m not going to get into a lengthy dissertation about that right now because most of us know many those reasons and have discussed them in length.

    Due to the sorry state our once wonderful downtown is in, in my opinion, I think at this point we should be happy to have any business invest in DTWD, even if it is an Aldi’s instead of a Trader Joes. Speaking for myself, any business that invests down there is taking one HUGE risk and the fact that they are showing faith in DTWD we should at least appreciate during such risky times.

    Perhaps in better times we can be choosy, but at this time logic tells me that any business down there, especially in that deserted FREE parking area, would be better than none…

  • http://www.networkdearborn.com Dave Bowman

    I’ve always thought a lessee is better than no lessee, but maybe that’s why I’m not in real estate…

    Aldi’s would do well there, but I know if Trader Joe’s actually went in that spot (based on thoughts I’ve read on this site, others and talking to people in general) it would be a huge step forward for that area. It would also be a moderate risk for Trader Joes…

  • brian

    If Brian Murray can’t go out recruiting some potential store owners to move into our vacant buildings, get rid of the chump, and get someone who can. Look at what Wyandotte has done as well as Allen Pk. for example.

  • confused

    not to defend brian murray but the last time I went through downtown wyandotte it is similar to gotham from the batman movies.

    As far as allen park, if you are referring to all the new store on the “hill” it is a much different retail environment with “big box” stores as oppossed to dealing with 2 large real estate holders that control smaller space.

    I agree, Adil is better than nothing and trader joes would be much better,

    Aldi is largely cheap frozen food, that dosen’t tak credit cards….

  • Just The Facts

    Barry (not Brian) Murray probably has little to do with which businesses do or don’t want to locate here. If they can make money in Dearborn, they’ll come here. If they can make more money somewhere else, they’ll go there. Any city community development director can make a pitch to recruit a business to locate here, but it’s the company’s demographic and marketing studies that matter.

    We should welcome Aldi’s or anyone willing to invest in our community.

    By the way, I saw that the Fatburger coming soon sign is back in place at Michigan and Military. Another good sign, maybe?

  • dearborn 48128

    I see the sign, but I’ll believe it when I see it?

  • Heartbroken

    A Trader Joe’s would be huge! I know quite a few people who drive to Northville just to shop there. I would do all my shopping there if it were closer. Hopefully this will be the case rather than the Aldi’s..

  • Dearborn Dude

    Isn’t Trader Joe’s similar to Westborn Fruit Market? I’ve never been to one.

  • Dave

    Michael D. Albano has it right: Any name business willing to open a business in Dearborn is a plus to the city.

  • Michael D. Albano

    Trader Joe’s is somewhat similar to Westborn Fruit market, but Joe’s has much larger stores with far more variety. In my opinion, I think it is one of the most unique such stores available today and I always enjoyed shopping there, but the prices on many items may shock Dearborn shoppers that seem to mostly be economical shoppers.

    You can check out Aldi’s website either by using Deep’s link on the original story or use the link I’ve provided below. I’ve only been to the Aldi’s in south Dearborn Heights on Van Born a few times and while it’s not a high class store, it’s a much better store than some think it is.

    Again, I want to emphasize that even though most would love having a Trader Joe’s in DTWD, Trader Joe’s looks for large anchor stores in successful outdoor shopping malls and the ACO area sadly, is hardly successful at this point. Since the economy is affecting every city, especially DTWD, at this point almost any store would be better than no store. Therefore, even if it is an Aldi’s it may help pick up business there for everyone and then if it’s succcessful, perhaps Trader Joe’s might want to consider some area of DTWD at a later date when the economy is back up and DTWD is in a better state than it currently is.

    Aldi (not Aldi’s) website:

    http://www.aldifoods.com/index_ENU_HTML.htm

    Trader Joe’s website:

    http://www.traderjoes.com/

    I hope this helps somewhat.

  • CORNER STORE

    Sorry Mike, but I have to disagree with your description of Traders Joe’s–especially the comment regarding their prices. Haven’t you ever tried their famous “Two Buck Chuck” (Three Buck Chuck in Michigan); the Charles Shaw wine that many people buy by the case

    Trader Joe’s prices on olive oil, balsamic vinegar, frozen fish and many other items blow Krogers and Meijers out of the water.

    Trader Joes and Aldi’s both rely on “private label” brands–you won’t find Kellogg’s corn flakes at either location. At Trader Joes you will find some very unique prepared and frozen items many of which are sold at very reasonable prices.

    Trader Joes is not a replacement for a “SUPER MARKET”, but rather a supplement. At the same time, Trader Joes is not a “Westborn Fruit Market” or “Merchant”, although it might overlap in certain catagories with all of the above.

    The Trader Joes I go to at Haggerty and 8 mile IS the anchor in the small strip mall it is located in–of couse that small strip mall is surrounded by just about every other retail chain store that you could name.

    mary

  • Heartbroken

    I totally agree Mary, and Trader Joe’s also carries a great deal of organically prepared food and cleaning products at very reasonable prices…

  • Steve

    I agree. I’ve never heard Trader Joe’s described as pricey. One shouldn’t confuse Trader Joe’s with Whole Foods.

  • Michael D. Albano

    I’ll take everyones word for it that it’s reasonable, although I thought the ones I shopped in California when I lived there were a bit pricey. So I stand corrected.

  • 48124

    Im gonna say its trader joes hopefully!

    aldi stores are typically “new builds” and much smaller

    lets hope progress is on the way!!!

  • Bill

    Why not both an Aldi’s and Trader Joe’? Put a Trader Joe’s place of the old Inca Computer Building and put an Aldi’s in place of the Minnesota Fabric/Michaels old building or vice versa. Two new businesses serving different clienteles. Something in those buildings is better than nothing.

  • becki kain

    I’d be concerned about a trader joe’s taking away Merchant’s business but it would be great to have *something* in there! I wish we still had the F&M

  • http://annmarble@yahoo.com Superchick

    As Jerry would say “Newman”

  • Heartbroken

    Nicely put, Superchick!

  • emanon

    This Newman clown has me thinking, if I bought up enough property, kept as much of it vacant as possible (apparently it’s better to keep something vacant for years & years than budge on what you think the rent oughta be) & got myself a reputation as a difficult nutjob with the few tenants I managed to keep, would the city name a street after me?
    Oh, right, there’s already an Emanon street.

  • emanon

    Trader Joe’s is EXACTLY what we need, but watch Newman blow it…must be nice to have that much coin.