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Hy-Vee’s small-store format to be called Heartland Pantry

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BY MATT OLBERDING/Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Sep 05, 2008 - 05:21:58 pm CDT

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.

 


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suzanne benson wrote on September 5, 2008 9:31 am:
" This is great news! Thank you for following through with this, Hy Vee. "

 Doug Emery wrote on September 5, 2008 9:37 am:
" To all at Hy-Vee

THANK YOU AND WE APPRECIATE THE ATTENTION YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THIS. Thank you to the management at Hy-Vee for finding a format that is a win-win for them and the community "

 The Galushas wrote on September 5, 2008 9:46 am:
" We are thrilled! It can't open too soon! Thank you, Hyvee. Heartland Pantry - Here we come! "

 Chris wrote on September 5, 2008 10:43 am:
" I'm glad Hy-Vee showed some loyalty to the community they have been a part of for so many years.

However, I chose to keep my grocery dollars local, Russ's and Super Saver. I buy local as much as possible. Keep those profits in the local community. "

 Flash forward months wrote on September 5, 2008 10:57 am:
" These same whiners who complained about the store leaving are going to be whining that there is not enough selection or services at this new smaller store. Some folks just can't be happy. "

 acminnesota wrote on September 5, 2008 11:29 am:
" I don't live in Lincoln anymore, but that is great news for that community. Some of the big stores are just WAY too big. You can't beat the little neighborhood store where you can find things quickly. "

 down the street wrote on September 5, 2008 11:50 am:
" There's a Hyvee going in at 50th and O. Only 5 minutes away.... Super Saver is at 48th and O only 4 minutes away.... "

 Mike in DC wrote on September 5, 2008 12:07 pm:
" Uh... "Trader Joes." Except, they're a small market that caters to those that want rock-bottom prices on organic and natural foods. Someone with a mind and time... a Trader Joes' out by Southpoint would murder. It would be a mob scene... and one up by the U? Are U serious? $1 Cliff bars LONG before Target had 'em. Nuff said. Downtown would have it's market. They have everything you need, and I've seen 'em located in parking garages so I know they've got the business model. Maybe a Heartland Pantry in one of the parking garages downtown? How about that R street 'dupersuper award-winning' garage that nobody seems wants to retail in? "

 Diane Walkowiak wrote on September 5, 2008 12:13 pm:
" Thanks to Hy-Vee, and a big thanks to everyone else who helped make this happen, whether you've been recognized publicly or not. Even though Hy-Vee has done little to acknowledge the grassroots efforts of people who wanted to keep their stores open in both Lincoln and Harding Hills (Des Moines), it was the pressure brought upon Hy-Vee in both locations that led to both stores being reopened as Heartland Pantries. Community activism does bring results!

I look forward to revitalizing University Place.

For more details on this issue, go to www.releasethelease.com. "

 Carol McShane wrote on September 5, 2008 1:30 pm:
" Ok, good. Now full speed ahead...HY VEE can open a "Heartland Pantry" in downtown Lincoln! "

 Carol McShane wrote on September 5, 2008 1:33 pm:
" Ok, good. Now full speed ahead..."Heartland Pantry "or Trader Joes in and in downtown Lincoln! "

 Wesleyan Alum wrote on September 5, 2008 2:56 pm:
" This is wonderful for the community. I am so excited for it to open! "

 lshoup wrote on September 5, 2008 3:38 pm:
" I am so excited that Hyvee has decided that its a good idea for them to reopen, even though smaller, a hyvee at the 48th & Leighton area. Even thought there is a SuperSaver and new HyVee's opening on O Street, really who wants to drive out of there way to O Street, any given evening to get a gallon of milk, I know that I will do just as much shopping at the 48th & Leighton store, as I did prior. "

 Roger wrote on September 6, 2008 9:50 am:
" Yes, community whining does wonders for the reputation of Lincoln. I hope the bragging about the whining power of those too lazy to take an empty bus for a few miles to shop comes back to bite ya... "

 wow wrote on September 6, 2008 10:17 am:
" To those who chastise people for "whining" and laziness - you don't seem to understand the larger issue of strong community neighborhoods. If you take the time to research, you will find that (thankfully) major grocers are starting to move away from the big box stores on the fringes (that we all have to use gas to drive to) and back towards the smaller neighborhood based stores. This is a good thing! Bigger isn't always better, and the maintenance of inner city neighborhoods makes for a stronger city overall. "

 Patty wrote on September 6, 2008 12:10 pm:
" Given a choice between a small neighborhood store and a large, supermarket, I'll pick the large supermarket every time. There is always a wider selection of meat, produce, bakery items, and dairy at the big stores. The larger stores generally have more brands to choose from, especially in the wine and alcohol section. The larger stores often have specialty items that the small stores do not have room for. The large stores have more aisle space to maneuver. The larger stores usually have pharmacies and other services that can reduce the amount of driving and time I spend waiting. The list goes on for why large stores are so successful.
Small neighborhood stores are fine for a few small items, but that's also what convenience stores are there for. "

 Doug Emery wrote on September 6, 2008 8:54 pm:
" It is too bad that some either will not or cannot understand this situation. When will you understand that many people in this area do not drive or don't own a car. So to say it is only 4 or 5 minutes to a store is not true for them. If you are walking, 30 blocks might as well be 30 miles. During talks with Hy-Vee no one asked Hy-Vee to put a store in this location. We only asked that they give the free market a chance to work by allowing someone the opportunity to put a store in this location. (Where are were all the free market supporters?)

Finally if you consider public activism "whining" or being "lazy" then you will just never get it. Why belittle the efforts of people who love their community enough to fight for it? I am extremely proud of those who went to battle for something they felt was important to the long term health of their community. Perhaps if those critizing would find a cause they could put their arms around then they would get it. "

 Good News wrote on September 6, 2008 11:23 pm:
" I used to live in Univeristy Place and it was really nice to be able to walk and get groceries. Hy-Vee really does have a place in this neighborhood - it's much the way Wagner's operates in the 33rd and A neighborhood. Corner stores will always have there places if in the correct neighborhood/area. "

 JB wrote on September 7, 2008 11:47 am:
" This store was orginally a Safeway. Havelock lost all of it's grocery stores and later proved there was a need and got a Russ's Market. The only thing close to a grocery store downtown Lincoln as is it's Walgreens, which Uni Plac has too. "

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