ONALASKA, Wis. – At 105,0000 square feet, the new Hy-Vee grocery store at Valley View mall will be about as big as they get. In addition is an outlying convenience store and fueling station comprise an additional 4,100 square feet. The mega-store opens pens October 18 — a bit ahead the original schedule. Dan Welsh, regional Hy-Vee manager, said the store wil have 400 full-time and 150 part-time employees. The store has ben converted from the mall’s former Sears, store although nothing Sear-ish shows inside or out.
Setting itself apart
The new store has locally distinctive feature. Many been tried in larger stores elsewhere at Iowa-based Hy-Vee’s 285 sites:
> Wahlburgers restaurant. Indoor and outdoor seating.
> Starbucks.
> Market Grille Express. Wth an “e.” Meals to go.
> Hy-Chi. Asian food including sushi.
> Italian section.
> Long Island Deli. With seafood and meat departments.
> Joe Fresh. A clothing department.
> An on-site bakery.
> Pharmacy.
> Wine and spirits.
> Fast and Fresh. A convenience store in the parking lot.
Earlier: Bankrupt Valley View mall changes hand
Earlier: Valley View Mall 2.0: Hy-Vee
More than a make-over. First Hy-Vee bought the original Sears store, which dated to 1980. Then they gutted it. With a blank canvas, the grocery chain designed a grocery-based but expansive mega-store.
