Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.

Have you ever been to an ALDI grocery store? Probably not if you live in Maine (which makes this a bit of a stupid question unless you're somewhere in Kittery or one of the Berwicks and you're close to the New Hampshire border.)

FACT: ALDI is fantastic.

ALSO FACT: Every state in New England has multiple ALDI locations except one. The one that people literally make plans to travel to most in the warmer months (ONE LAST FACT: Have you ever tried driving north on I-95 in New Hampshire close to the Piscataqua River Bridge? You can't because it's a standstill.)

Why hasn't ALDI opened a location in Maine yet?

Nathalia Rosa / Canva
Nathalia Rosa / Canva
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According to their official website, ALDI has opened 2277 stores in the United States. And of those 2277, 40 are in New England. And actually, 71 if you include Connecticut, which we usually blacklist from being part of New England but for the sake of this argument, we'll include them since they have 31 locations of their own.

Look. This isn't about running ALDI down. Because here's the thing -- to people who have been born and raised Mainers, never moved away, or never crossed state lines to do any shopping, they don't know what they're missing.

I was born and raised in New Hampshire and just moved to Maine last summer. And the last three places I lived in the 603 had an ALDI location close by -- a location on the Methuen, MA/Salem, NH line, a location in Dover, NH, and a location in Derry, NH.

So I know what we're missing here in Maine because ALDI is such a go-to. Sure, it's not one of the "big name chain" stores that you can find scattered multiple times throughout the entire country, but it's so good that it should be.

Google Maps
Google Maps
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There might be no other grocery store chain that looks out for people and its customers like ALDI does. Prices are easily half that of the other "big guys" -- to the point that what costs over $200 for three reusable bags full of groceries at those businesses can easily cost under $100 at ALDI for the same amount.

And it's not like it's a "you pay for what you get" type scenario, because sure, maybe they have more of their own independent store brands like Clancy's than the big corporate food companies you find in grocery stores, but honestly, the ALDI brand of food is delicious.

Sometimes, even more delicious than the "big guy" store brands or the actual commercial brands of products they carry. And definitely for way less than those other products.

So, if anyone from corporate for ALDI is reading this -- do us a solid. Start opening Maine locations. Hell, it could be one of the businesses that replaces Sears at the Maine Mall in SoPo.

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Google Maps
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Because you'll feel the love from us as much as we'll feel from you. You'll be successful here for the mere fact that you'll be saving us a ton of money for the same quality food (or better) that we can get elsewhere.

And if there's anyone that shows love and appreciation the best, it's Mainers. Need proof? Come roll the dice and find out.

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