While Aldi hasn’t made a public press release about this location, the proof is in the permit.
A site plan filed under MAS-24-183 Aldi Store clearly shows a 21,064 sq ft building labeled with Aldi’s signature layout: “Version 7.0 Exterior Redesign (ER) Prototype – Right Hand Entry, Side Dock.” That’s not some placeholder blueprint — it’s Aldi’s national design standard for their stores across the country. You can find identical labeling on dozens of their recent Florida permits.
While Aldi’s grand openings page doesn’t list Wellen Park yet, this is how most new stores break into the pipeline — quietly, with site engineering documents and development review filings before marketing ever starts.
Location Breakdown: Where Exactly?
The site is located at:
Mezzo Drive & Playmore Road, North Port, FL
Right next to the under-construction Costco at 11935 Mezzo Drive, just east of the main Wellen Park entrance.
It’s easily accessible to:
- Downtown Wellen — just a few minutes away via U.S. 41 and Playmore Road
- Renaissance, Everly, and other nearby neighborhoods
- Commuters coming from Venice, North Port, and West Villages
This area is quickly becoming a retail destination of its own, offering everyday convenience just outside the lifestyle core of Downtown.
So What’s the Deal With the Coffee Shop?
The same site plan that revealed Aldi also includes a smaller, standalone 2,500 sq ft building labeled “Coffee Shop/Offices.”
It’s positioned near the southern end of the development, with its own parking, landscaping, and likely a drive-thru configuration. While no tenant is officially named, this layout is tailor-made for national brands.
So who might be filling that space?
Brand Watch: Who Could Be Moving In?
Let’s start with what won’t be moving in:
- Dunkin’ is already in Wellen Park — and franchise territory protections make a second location highly unlikely.
Now, let’s look at the strong contenders:
Starbucks
The top contender by far. Starbucks prefers 2,200–2,800 sq ft freestanding buildings, especially in high-traffic, grocery-adjacent retail developments. With a Costco and Aldi anchoring this corner, the customer base is baked in. Add in the fact that Wellen Park doesn’t currently have a Starbucks, and this location makes strategic sense.
PJ’s Coffee / Biggby / Black Rifle
These growing regional and national chains have been expanding across Florida. The 2,500 sq ft footprint fits them well. They’re wildcards, but possible.
Why This Matters for Wellen Park
The addition of Aldi is a huge win for Wellen Park residents. It brings a low-cost, high-efficiency grocery option to an area that’s been underserved for day-to-day basics. Between Publix, Detwiler’s, and now Aldi, residents will finally have the kind of grocery variety other coastal towns take for granted.
And the coffee shop? Whether it ends up being Starbucks or something new, it’s clear the developers are prioritizing convenience and routine-driven stops — exactly what locals and commuters want.
We’ll be watching this site like hawks — because if the Aldi building is labeled this specifically, tenant signage (and permit filings) for the coffee shop won’t be far behind.
Expect construction to visibly begin in late 2025, with potential openings in early-to-mid 2026, based on typical retail build timelines for Aldi and national chains.
We’ll keep you posted on What’s Up Wellen as soon as anything official hits. Until then, just know: your grocery runs are about to get more affordable — and a whole lot more caffeinated.
