GREENFIELD — More than 150 eager customers formed a line outside the city’s new Aldi grocery store in the moments before it opened Thursday morning.

As people entered the store through a large inflatable arch, they were greeted by employees who handed out free insulated bags and gift cards.

According to Aldi Director of Operations Conor Fenton, the large crowd of customers was expected by store employees. In the first hour of the store’s opening, he said the most popular products were Aldi’s fresh produce selection and July 4-related products.

“[We have] great quality and unbeatable prices,” Fenton said.

The Germany-based grocery store Aldi first opened in 1961 and expanded to the U.S. in 1976. The chain, which has now grown to more than 2,500 locations across the U.S., is known for its low prices, limited product selection and efficient store operation.

“It was absolutely crazy this morning, because they gave out free gift cards of different amounts and all five lines were opened and it took a long time to get through,” said first-day shopper Marilyn Hannan, of Greenfield. “But it’s very comfortable in there and the staff is helpful.”

Hannan, who often shops at the Aldi in Northampton, said she particularly enjoys the chain’s weekly deals on items such as milk and eggs, along with the selection of cheeses.

The 19,400-square-foot grocery store is located on the site of the now-demolished Candlelight Motor Inn at 220 Mohawk Trail. As plans to open the facility were brought before the Zoning Board of Appeals, residents raised concerns about the store’s potential traffic impact.

“It’ll be interesting to see what the traffic patterns will be. I know that was a major concern, but I think there are a lot of families in Greenfield that need this lower-price option because they don’t have transportation to go anywhere else,” Hannan said. “We have no discount stores. We can’t go to Walmart to buy groceries. So I think for lower-income people, this is probably a great thing.”

Another first-time shopper, Greenfield resident Mark Silliman, described himself as a fan of the grocery chain and, in an interview outside the store, outlined the chain’s history.

“Their philosophy works very well. They carry only one of everything and they buy in bulk. So unlike a typical store that is 100,000-square-feet, like the Big Y, they don’t carry 60 tomato sauces. They carry one ... so they get the price down,” Silliman said. “I understand where Big Y comes from as they will help customers out, bag the groceries … so you’re paying for the service, but it’s more expensive, right off the bat.”

In an interview last month, Greenfield Business Association Director Hannah Rechtschaffen said she believed the new business would add to the city’s “ecosystem,” explaining that the new supermarket is expected to bring more people into the city, where they’re likely to spend money at other local businesses.

Rechtschaffen added that the business’ attraction to Greenfield was a hopeful sign for the city’s economic growth.

“I think it’s an important part of the ecosystem,” Rechtschaffen said. “Anytime we see a business like Starbucks or Aldi coming in, it indicates to us that businesses are seeing market data that makes them want to expand to Greenfield.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.