Two weeks to go

Its official: Discount grocer Aldi is opening its newest San Diego store on Nov. 21.

A sign on the door announced its grand opening with four exclamation marks.

A man working there Thursday morning, preparing the space for future customers, said 20 to 30 people have been stopping by each day. A minute after he said that, a woman walked over and took a peek inside.

The store is on the corner of Balboa and Genesee avenues in an area that has several other grocery offerings, including a Sprouts Farmers Market, Vons, several grocery and bakery aisles inside Target, and specialty grocer Balboa International Market.

But the nearest Aldi is 10 miles away in Mira Mesa. Including this location, Aldi — founded in 1961 in Germany (with roots to a 1913 bakery) and now a chain with 6,000 stores in 11 countries — will have 15 stores in San Diego County.

The store opens a week before Thanksgiving. Aldi has been promoting a $47 Thanksgiving dinner that is designed to feed 10.

It also has this promise on its website: If you’re not 100% satisfied, we stand by our Double Guarantee—we’ll replace the product AND refund your money.

A source for gifting returns to coastal North County

Who do you want to thank or celebrate this holiday season? A special first- or third-grade teacher? Your friendly postal service worker? The neighbor who let you know you left your garage door open and shares fresh herbs from his garden? For all your greeting card, gift giving, paper invitation, crafting and wrapping paper needs, theres a new place to visit: Paper Source in Encinitas.

The store, at 1040 N. El Camino Real Drive, opened Wednesday and will have a grand opening party on Saturday. The celebration will consist of free crafts, activities, and more. All are invited and welcome to join in the new store celebrations, a brand representative wrote in an email.

This town is just a stone’s throw away from our former location in Carlsbad, and customers have already been stopping by saying they were ready for us to be present again in this town, Marge Keller, a Paper Source regional manager, said in an emailed statement.

That location, in The Forum Carlsbad mall, closed in 2022.

We are looking forward to celebrating our grand opening with everyone in the San Diego area!” Keller added.

Holiday shop pops up this weekend

Holiday shoppers looking for deals on in-demand products might check out Amazons Cyber Monday or big box stores Black Friday specials.

Shoppers looking for special, one-of-a-kind items and who wish to support San Diego merchants could visit the regions myriad small businesses, which are starting to promote their own sales and holiday events.

Delight your recipients with unique, uncommon goods that have withstood the test of time while having a real shopping experience hunting for treasures in our vintage shop, wrote one business owner, Lori Chandler.

On Sunday, her shop, Vignettes boutique on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, is transforming into Vignettes’ Vintage Christmas.

What this means for gift hunters: from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the store is hosting an open house to get people into the holiday spirit.

Enter our magical, winter wonderland and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the season while enjoying bubbly and sweets, Chandler wrote in an emailed invitation. Discover one of a kind, pieces of the past and handcrafted, artisan creations from all vintage elements created by the 28 talented designers, artisans and inventors of Vignettes. Be inspired by their unique, vintage goods that are exclusive to the shop and won’t be found anywhere else.

Items one might find:

vintage ornaments tinsel trees classic and timeless holiday décor

Nothing mass produced will ever hold a candle to an original! Chandler wrote.

Free meal and a discount to honor veterans

San Diegos Ikea store in Mission Valley is celebrating Veterans Day.

On Nov. 11, veterans are invited to a free meal inside the store.

From Nov. 8 through 17, military members and their spouses can get a 15% discount if they have signed up for Ikea Family, the stores loyalty program, and if they register through SheerID, an identity verification website. The store will also have a reserved Active Military and Veteran Appreciation parking spot to show appreciation to our community, according to a news release.

Do you have a tip about San Diego shopping deals or news? Send me the scoop: roxana.popescu@sduniontribune.com.