By Gina Horan
Culver’s, Marshalls Opening Soon in Leesburg, Aldi Postponed Again
Three new national chains are opening in Leesburg throughout the coming weeks, adding to the flourishing mom and pop businesses that already thrive in downtown, into the mall and throughout the peripheries of the thriving community.
Mayor Alan Reisman welcomes the new additions and says there is always room for new businesses.
“It’s great to see national brands like Aldi, Culver’s and Marshalls investing in Leesburg,” he says. “Each new opening adds to the variety and convenience for our residents while helping drive local jobs and economic growth.”
Two brands are adding fresh flavors to the local food landscape. First, Culver’s is moving into 9423 US Hwy. 441 in Silver Lake Commons near the Leesburg International Airport, with a scheduled ribbon cutting on Monday, November 10 at 10am.
Founded in Wisconsin in 1984, Culver’s serves its signature ButterBurgers and fresh frozen custard in more than 1,000 locations across the country, including several in Central Florida. The ribbon cutting will be held by the Leesburg Chamber.
The popular Euro-style grocery chain Aldi is opening a new store at 27405 US Hwy 27 in the Lake Harris Square Shopping Center. The location sits in the former Winn-Dixie building, which was gutted and prepped earlier this year for conversion to the ALDI format.
The company initially announced an opening date of August 13, but the launch was pushed to November, and then was announced Monday that it has once again been pushed to December 11, tentatively. ALDI said the new store will feature its signature low-price model with fresh produce, organic options, fresh meats and seafood and ALDI-exclusive brands designed to match the quality of national name brands at a lower price.
This will be one of multiple ALDI locations serving Lake and Sumter counties, with existing stores in Leesburg, Lady Lake, The Villages and Oxford. The Lake Harris Square development gains a value-grocer anchor, which may also impact foot traffic and retail dynamics in the surrounding plaza.
Marshalls retail outlet is slated to open in Gateway Plaza in Leesburg, at 919 N. 14th St., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for November 13 at 7:45 a.m. This store will offer off-price apparel and home-goods retail, extending a value-shopping option in Lake county.
Together, these three openings add to Leesburg’s robust business scene with new fast-casual dining, value groceries and brand-name retail. For residents of Leesburg, these additions mean more in-town options and new job opportunities.
The Leesburg Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the new business investment, aligning with its focus on economic growth and regional development. With ground broken and openings scheduled, residents and visitors alike will soon experience the expanded footprint.
Mayor Reisman is also excited to be a part of Leesburg’s continued progress.
“Our city is open for business,” he says. “Welcoming both national retailers combined with our local mom and pop entrepreneurs enhances Leesburg’s vibrant and thriving community.”
Gina moved to Central Florida in August 2021 from the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a degree in linguistics and worked as a fashion editor, photo stylist lifestyle columnist and food writer for the Knight Ridder Newspaper Group. She also covered and photographed music festivals, fashion shows and sports throughout Northern California. In 2000, she joined KSAN radio as a morning show co-host and produced the news and sports content there for four years. She later covered travel, events and the restaurant scene for KRON-Bay TV. A veteran bartender, Gina has worked in hospitality on and off since high school. She has been with Akers Media since 2022 and hosts the Healthy Living Central Florida podcast. Her passions include travel, road trips, baseball, history books and podcasts, tasting menus and arriving in a new city without a map or guidebook.
