Whitehall is set to get a brand-new ALDI, with the store opening on October 29, 2025. The site has gone through a long transformation from open farmland to a local shopping plaza. Now it’s ready for a new chapter as ALDI takes over the anchor space.
From Farmland to Shopping Plaza
Back in the 1950s, the land around East Colby Street was still wide open farmland, with scattered fields and farm structures. For decades the property stayed that way, even as development slowly spread along Colby Street. By the early 1990s, the shift had arrived — a shopping center was built on the site, complete with a large anchor space, parking lot, and smaller storefronts. This marked the first major wave of retail development in this part of Whitehall.
The Plumb’s Era and Vacancy
For many years, the anchor spot at this plaza was home to Plumb’s grocery store, a familiar name in the Whitehall area. It served as the community’s go-to supermarket until its eventual closure, leaving the plaza without its central tenant. The space sat vacant for years, with the large building standing quiet while smaller tenants like Goodwill and local shops carried on. The empty anchor space became one of the more noticeable retail gaps along Colby Street.
ALDI Brings New Life
In 2024, renovations started on the former Plumb’s building at 3255 E Colby Street in Whitehall. The exterior was refreshed and modernized, preparing the way for a new tenant. ALDI quickly confirmed its plans, adding Whitehall to its growing Michigan footprint. With the opening scheduled for October 29, the long-vacant anchor space is finally coming back to life.
Last Updated on October 20, 2025 by F.E.M