Grading for the site of the new Pflugerville ALDI store has begun, and city officials expect construction to start in the next few weeks after permits are issued by the development services department.

Approved plans for the new ALDI store show a single-story building of 18,492 square feet being built on 1.892 acres. The ALDI store will be located at 1415 FM 685, Pflugerville, on the east side of the road, south of Pfennig Lane.

Plans show the development will include 76 parking spaces and four  spaces for bicycles. Along with 2,491 plants and trees proposed for the property, the plans also include site details for drainage, fire protection, grading, utilities and landscaping.

ALDI is a discount supermarket chain that sells groceries, including meats, healthy foods and produce. Many stores also offer wines, beers and home goods.

More than 90 percent of the products sold in the stores are ALDI exclusive brands, similar to Trader Joe’s, allowing shoppers to buy products at lower prices. ALDI has nearly 1,600 stores in 35 states.

The Pflugerville ALDI will be the first in the Austin area, with the closest stores in Temple, Killeen and College Station.

The company has more than 24,000 employees and plans to have 2,000 stores by 2018, according to its corporate website.

In an announcement in January, an ALDI spokesperson said the store will open by the end of 2017. Details of when the store will open were not confirmed by the company Friday.