A local contractor is putting the final touches on an expansion and renovation project in Michigan for a supermarket chain.

Grand Rapids-based a.j. Veneklasen, or AJV, said this spring it started renovating an 18,700-square-foot Aldi grocery store at 3123 W. South Airport Rd. in Traverse City in mid-April, and it plans to wrap it up by June 28.

AJV said Aldi selected the Traverse City store for renovation because of its high volume of shoppers and prime location.

The $1,100,174 project includes expanding into a vacant retail space east of the store, adding 3,586 square feet to the building’s footprint, new refrigeration, a new floor plan, a new entrance and a new canopy and brick façade.

The project will also feature a “contemporary design,” open ceilings and natural lighting, said Chris Veneklasen, president, a.j. Veneklasen.

“All renovations have been designed to better accommodate the residents of Traverse City,” Veneklasen said.

AJV has had a team of around 35 to 40 workers stationed in Traverse City for regular business days, with the chance to go home on the weekends.

Columbus, Ohio-based MS Consultants is the architect on this project.

The Traverse City store is Aldi’s ninth project with AJV, which has also remodeled/expanded Aldi stores in Grand Rapids, Holland, Benton Harbor, Jackson and Pontiac.

“Our team performs to the highest level of construction standards in an effort to build a positive rapport with the client,” Veneklasen said.