Here’s everything coming soon to these metro Phoenix cities from Trader Joe’s to Harkins Article originally posted on AZ Central on July 30, 2025 Across the state in 2024, Surprise’s population growth was second only to Phoenix. Out of the top eight cities in Arizona that had the largest population gains in 2024, three were in the West Valley: Surprise, Goodyear and Buckeye. The rapid growth of the West Valley has caught the eye of developers. A spate of retail development opening soon in the area includes both new locations of popular chain grocers and stores, like Target, as well as highly anticipated entertainment venues and the cult-favorite gas station Buc-ee’s. Here are seven of the most exciting developments coming soon to the West Valley, including three whose opening represents their Arizona debut. Aldi Popular discount grocer ALDI opened a new location in Surprise on July 24. Known for its cheap snacks, produce and frozen food, ALDI operates 12 other locations in Arizona. Details: 13723 W. Bell Road in Surprise. aldi.us. Buc-ee’s Arizona’s first-ever Buc-ee’s location broke ground in Goodyear in May, with an expected opening date of June 2026. Buc-ee’s is technically a travel center or gas station, not a traditional restaurant. But the Texas-based chain has a cult following for its food and drink options, which include homemade fudge, Beaver Nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries. Details: Southeast corner of Bullard Avenue and Interstate 10 in Goodyear. buc-ees.com. Harkins Backlot The first Harkins BackLot opened in north Phoenix in July, the first foray of the local movie theater company into entertainment. Another BackLot will open in Verrado Marketplace in Buckeye in 2026. The venue features an arcade, 12 bowling lanes, electronic darts and a sports bar with movie theater-level screens. Details: The northeast corner of Interstate 10 and Verrado Way in Buckeye. harkins.com/backlot. Mattel Adventure Park The Glendale theme park will have a Barbie Beach House with a Barbie Dream Closet Experience, where guests can create their own Barbie sets and hologram technology is used to “bring Barbie to life right before guests’ eyes.” Other attractions will be themed around Thomas & Friends, He-Man & the Masters of the Universe, and Mattel games such as Uno. Mattel Adventure Park will have two Hot Wheels-themed roller coasters. The opening date has not yet been announced. Details: The park is just south of VAI Resort at 95th Avenue and Cardinals Way in Glendale. matteladventurepark.com. Target Target plans to open three new stores in Arizona, including one in Buckeye. The new location will be about 148,000 square feet. The opening date has not yet been announced. Details: Northeast corner of Interstate 10 and Verrado Way in Buckeye. target.com. Trader Joe’s Trader Joe’s will open a 13,500-square-foot location in downtown Goodyear. The developer said it did not have details available about when the store will open. The grocery store will be in a shopping center with Black Rock Coffee Bar and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, both of which were scheduled to open in 2026. There are 18 Trader Joe’s stores in Arizona, not counting the new location. Details: North Bullard Avenue and McDowell Road in Goodyear. traderjoes.com. VAI Resort VAI’s first phase will have 1,100 hotel rooms. an 11,000-seat amphitheater and sandy beaches with temperature-controlled water. It will also feature a 50,000-square-foot, European-inspired “party island” called Konos Island with a sky bar that offers food and drinks at 130 feet in the air. Additionally, the resort will offer tethered hot-air balloon rides where passengers can view desert and mountain vistas from 400 feet above ground. VAI’s second phase will include a second concert venue: a 2,000-person capacity, multilevel indoor theater. Originally intending to open in 2024, the resort is targeting a late 2025 opening date. However, the mixed results of a May special election regarding the zoning of a section of the resort may cause further delays. Details: South of State Farm Stadium on Cardinals Way in Glendale. vairesort.com.