The line outside Lidl’s newest U.S. store stretched down Northside Drive on Wednesday morning, matched only by the excitement of shoppers eager to step inside. With croissants and coffee in hand, people gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the European grocer’s latest location at 1090 Northside Drive NW.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony began shortly after sunrise and drew a crowd that included residents, Georgia Tech students, and city officials. Among those present were Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and City Councilmember Dustin Hillis, who both emphasized the store’s significance for the surrounding community.
“I’m glad that Lidl chose West Midtown for us to have fresh food accessible to so many people and at great prices,” Dickens said. “We have an amazing staff. I’m excited to work with them and excited for this community.”
The new store is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and marks Lidl’s continued expansion across the Atlanta metro area, offering a curated mix of private-label goods, imported European specialties, and everyday household items. Known for its efficient store layouts and rotating weekly deals, Lidl brings a model of affordability and freshness that has made it one of Europe’s most popular supermarket chains.
For store manager Shatara Jackson, the morning was a new milestone in her career. After five and a half years with Lidl, this was her first grand opening as a store manager.
“It’s amazing,” Jackson said. “Just to see everybody stand outside so early in the morning waiting to see what the store has to offer is everything.”
Jackson, who previously managed locations on Memorial Drive and Covington Highway, said she arrived at 4 a.m. to ensure the store was ready for customers. “We get trucks every single day with fresh produce and baked goods,” she said. “I’m just making sure that the focus is on the price points and the freshness of the store.”
Atlanta City Councilmember Dustin Hillis, who represents District 9, said the opening marks an important addition to a rapidly growing corridor.
“Having neighborhood grocery stores is very important, especially to this area with so much mixed-use development,” Hillis said. “We have students from Georgia Tech nearby, and now people can not just drive to the grocery store, but they can walk or ride their bikes. As we focus on bringing more complete streets to the city and connecting neighborhoods to their commercial centers, people can put fresh food and produce on their tables.”
For Christian Readus, a Ph.D. student in chemistry at Georgia Tech, the new Lidl represents better alternatives that were not previously available. “I’m glad to see different students are taking advantage of how walking distance it is,” Readus said, “It’s really hard to get healthy options close by. We have Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s, but nobody wants to get that every day. So it’s good to go get some stuff and cook at home.”
Readus emphasized that convenience was the main draw. “I’m just excited that we have a grocery store so close that I can walk to,” Readus said. “Before, I had to go all the way to Kroger or Publix. Now I can meal prep and eat healthier; it’s very advantageous for my fitness goals.”
Inside, customers explored aisles filled with freshly baked bread, imported cheeses, and other affordable favorites.
As Mayor Dickens cut the ribbon and before the crowd subsequently poured in, he spoke to the gathered community outside.
“Thank you all for choosing this area, and I’m excited to see all these customers,” Dickens said. “Let’s continue to really support this grocery store so they can be as successful as possible, so the community can be served.”
The new Lidl is located in West Midtown at 1090 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.