Mar 4, 2017 4 min read

The Aldi grocery store in Trinity Point is one of 1,300 of the chain’s operating units to receive an upgrade by 2020.

But local shoppers won’t have to wait three years to experience the change.

According to an e-mail last week from Aldi Saxonburg division Vice President J.R. Perry, the store at 18 Trinity Point Drive in South Strabane Township will be remodeled and expanded this summer.

Perry also said that the Waynesburg Aldi store at 210 Greene Plaza, which opened in 2008, will be remodeled by the end of this year, but couldn’t provide additional details.

While Perry didn’t provide specific details about the Trinity Point store, which opened in June 2003, a press release from Aldi said its upgrade program, which will cost $1.6 billion nationwide, includes both remodel and expansion plans for the stores.

“With more than 35 Aldi stores in the Pittsburgh area, we can’t wait to bring the new look of Aldi to shoppers who know and love us, plus new fans, as we make more room for a larger selection of fresh products, plus customers’ favorites like organics, gluten-free foods and premium baby items,” Perry said.

South Strabane Township Manager Brandon Stanick said in an e-mail last week that the final land development approval came from supervisors two weeks ago for the company’s proposed expansion and renovation in Trinity Point. The plan earlier received unanimous preliminary and final land development approval from the township’s planning commission on Feb. 2 with the condition that the company widen the entrance drive to accommodate two 12-foot wide exit lanes for right- and left-hand turns, as well as the addition of a crosswalk across the front access aisle connecting the parking lot and the front entry way.

Stanick said Aldi expects the project will represent a $2 million reinvestment in the Trinity Point store.

The U.S. division of Aldi, based in Batavia, Ill., currently operates more than 1,600 stores in 35 states. It is embarking on the remodel program while continuing to implement an accelerated growth plan to open 650 new stores across the U.S.

By the end of 2018, it expects to operate nearly 2,000 stores, serving more than 45 million customers monthly.

The stores offer customers significant savings through mostly exclusive Aldi brands which the chain says enables customers to save money on premium-quality groceries.

Kevin M. Gormly has joined the Southpointe law firm of Steptoe & Johnson as a member of its energy litigation team.

Gormly is an experienced litigator who represents clients in state and federal courts. He often assists oil and gas operators in matters including joint operating agreements, drilling contracts and lease and title issues. He has also served as trial counsel, and won summary judgment, in a landmark case involving post-production costs in Pennsylvania oil and gas leases.

Throughout his career, Gormly has represented clients in proceedings before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and in OSHA investigations.

He earned his law degree from New York University and his bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University. He is a frequent speaker on issues related to the oil and gas industry and contributes to publications from organizations including the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation.

Steptoe & Johnson has more than 300 attorneys with core strengths in energy, business, employment, and litigation. It operates 13 offices in six states including Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.

Devesh Sharma of Washington has been named to the board of Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh.

Sharma is managing director of Canonsburg-based Aquatech International, a global leader in water purification technology for industrial and infrastructure markets. He has worked with Aquatech since 1997 in a number of capacities including process engineer, project manager and business development manager. From 2006 to 2013 he was responsible for Aquatech’s business activities in Asia. Sharma holds a degree in chemical engineering and industrial management from Carnegie Mellon University, and an Executive MBA from INSEAD.