IRON MOUNTAIN — The new ALDI store on Iron Mountain’s south side had its grand opening recently that included a ribbon cutting and giveaways for customers.

More than 150 people lined up all the way to the back of the building at 2025 S. Stephenson Ave. and across the parking lot for the 8:30 a.m. ceremony.

Iron Mountain Mayor Dale Alessandrini was on hand to welcome ALDI to town. “They will be a fine addition to the community,” Alessandrini said. “We are happy to have them here,”

Though the store has been open to customers all week, the first 100 in line Thursday received a “golden ticket” that could have been worth up to $100. Other items handed out among the early guests included free shopping tote bags and keychains. Shoppers also were able to enter a drawing for a $500 gift card.

Clayton Goldmeyer of Iron Mountain arrived at 5:30 a.m. to ensure he would be first in line. Goldmeyer said he often shops at the Escanaba location and is happy to have an ALDI closer to home. He likes the prices and quality of the produce, he said, and his favorite cereal is only available at ALDI.

“I came to be part of the excitement,” said Sandy Bray of Iron Mountain, who showed up at 7:20 a.m. and was rewarded with a $25 gift card. Bray said she likes the prices ALDI has on milk.

The grocery store stocks a range of products, including fresh meat and seafood, organic produce and pantry essentials, the company states.

Operations Manager Paul Allen said the key to ALDI’s success is offering quality at a great value, adding the company is excited to be open in Iron Mountain, the second location in Upper Michigan along with Escanaba. The ALDI website lists 103 stores in Michigan and 81 in Wisconsin, including Marinette and Rhinelander.

The opening comes only about seven months after site preparation and construction began on the 18,000-square-foot store in May. The business added 20 jobs in the area, Allen said.

ALDI was founded by the Albrecht family and opened its first store in 1961 in Germany. It established its first U.S. location in 1976 in Iowa. It now has nearly 2,200 stores in 38 states, with its U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Ill.

ALDI is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.