Hy-Vee’s small-store format to be called Heartland Pantry
Hy-Vee has finally decided on a name for its new smaller-format store at 48th and Leighton Avenue: Heartland Pantry.
Hy-Vee said in a news release the name was chosen to reflect the product offerings in the store — staples that everyone needs for their families — such as packaged and canned goods, fresh produce, dairy, meat, and some natural and organic offerings.
The name also is a part of Hy-Vee’s history.
The company ran a chain of convenience stores in Iowa, which from 1991 until it was sold in 1999 was named Heartland Pantry.
“When we developed the vision for our new store as place to go to stock the pantry, it occurred to us we already had the ideal name,” Hy-Vee spokeswoman Chris Friesleben said.
In addition to the 48th and Leighton store, Hy-Vee also is planning a Heartland Pantry in Des Moines, although its opening is likely more than 18 months away, according to the Des Moines Register.
Much of the product in the smaller stores will be private-label, but Heartland Pantry also will offer unique specialty items and special brand-name purchases, Hy-Vee said.
Store decor will be simple and inviting and the shopping atmosphere will be casual, Karl Kruse, a Hy-Vee vice president, said in the news release.
“These stores are designed to accommodate the shopper who needs basic everyday foods,” Kruse said. “We think we’ve found the perfect balance between convenience stores with their limited offerings, and large combination stores, all the while keeping our focus on value, nutrition and quality.”
The store is a new concept for Hy-Vee. Though the company said it has been considering a small-format store for some time, it sped up its plans after community opposition to the closing of its 48th and Leighton store and the planned closing of a store in Des Moines.
Hy-Vee announced in March that it would re-open a smaller store at 48th and Leighton, and in May it unveiled specific plans for the store. But various issues had delayed a name for the store, Hy-Vee officials have said.
The Lincoln store, which at about 27,000 feet will be less than half the size of the full-service store Hy-Vee closed, is expected to open in early November, the company said.
Diane Walkowiak, one of the people responsible for organizing the neighborhood opposition to Hy-Vee’s decision to close the 48th and Leighton store, said she can’t wait for the new store to open.
“I’m so glad our store in University Place is reopening soon,” Walkowiak said in an e-mail to the Journal Star.
Hy-Vee has said it hopes to lease out the remaining 40,000 square feet it is not using to another tenant, but no announcements regarding that have been made yet.
Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
Hy-Vee said in a news release the name was chosen to reflect the product offerings in the store — staples that everyone needs for their families — such as packaged and canned goods, fresh produce, dairy, meat, and some natural and organic offerings.
The name also is a part of Hy-Vee’s history.
The company ran a chain of convenience stores in Iowa, which from 1991 until it was sold in 1999 was named Heartland Pantry.
“When we developed the vision for our new store as place to go to stock the pantry, it occurred to us we already had the ideal name,” Hy-Vee spokeswoman Chris Friesleben said.
In addition to the 48th and Leighton store, Hy-Vee also is planning a Heartland Pantry in Des Moines, although its opening is likely more than 18 months away, according to the Des Moines Register.
Much of the product in the smaller stores will be private-label, but Heartland Pantry also will offer unique specialty items and special brand-name purchases, Hy-Vee said.
Store decor will be simple and inviting and the shopping atmosphere will be casual, Karl Kruse, a Hy-Vee vice president, said in the news release.
“These stores are designed to accommodate the shopper who needs basic everyday foods,” Kruse said. “We think we’ve found the perfect balance between convenience stores with their limited offerings, and large combination stores, all the while keeping our focus on value, nutrition and quality.”
The store is a new concept for Hy-Vee. Though the company said it has been considering a small-format store for some time, it sped up its plans after community opposition to the closing of its 48th and Leighton store and the planned closing of a store in Des Moines.
Hy-Vee announced in March that it would re-open a smaller store at 48th and Leighton, and in May it unveiled specific plans for the store. But various issues had delayed a name for the store, Hy-Vee officials have said.
The Lincoln store, which at about 27,000 feet will be less than half the size of the full-service store Hy-Vee closed, is expected to open in early November, the company said.
Diane Walkowiak, one of the people responsible for organizing the neighborhood opposition to Hy-Vee’s decision to close the 48th and Leighton store, said she can’t wait for the new store to open.
“I’m so glad our store in University Place is reopening soon,” Walkowiak said in an e-mail to the Journal Star.
Hy-Vee has said it hopes to lease out the remaining 40,000 square feet it is not using to another tenant, but no announcements regarding that have been made yet.
Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
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