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Customers have a lot of changes to take in as they enter Creston’s newly remodeled Hy-Vee store, 600 Sheldon St., which reopened today following four days of closure.
Creston’s Hy-Vee has been re-branded as Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh in an effort to focus on fresh food, high quality and low prices.
“What ‘Dollar Fresh’ is meant to do is to find a way that we can reach out to our customers and offer them something that they don’t have to wait ... or shop other people’s ads,” said Chris Gordy, store director. “We’ve made this all about our customers so that we can offer a one stop place where they can ... look at our signage and look around and know that this is the best deal in town. Not the best deal because it’s in the ad, but it’s the best deal because that’s what we offer.”
With the store closed since the end of the business day Sunday, workers have been busy installing new areas and making various changes throughout the store.
Upon walking in, customers are greeted by aisle two, which is where many of the best deals will be found.
“Our first half (of the aisle) is all hot deal stuff – all the stuff that is in the ad or have a great buy on. The right side of the isle is all dollar deals, so everything on the right side is a dollar. The left side is the ‘That’s Smart’ line products, which is our best value product we carry. It’s going to be the best price in town,” said Gordy.
The Diner
Customers have a new dining option inside Creston Hy-Vee at “The Diner.” The Diner, which is reminiscent of a 1950s style diner featuring a sit-down bar and open dining area, offers breakfast from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Diner offers made-to-order meals such as pancakes and eggs, biscuits and gravy, ciabatta breakfast sandwiches, chicken and waffles, and omelettes. Lunch offerings include a classic cheeseburger, tenderloin, four-cheese grilled ham and cheese sandwich, chicken strips and sandwiches. A children’s menu is also available.
Creston Hy-Vee has also rolled out its bakery products featuring an expanded cake decorating station for custom cake orders.
Expanded lines
The most noticeable expansions within the store are its produce and beer, wine and spirits sections.
“We’ve expanded everything,” said Gordy.
Creston Hy-Vee has expanded its produce section, which includes regionally grown produce. The way it is now set up allows produce to be rotated more often.
Enthusiasts of craft beer and beer imports will appreciate the improved selection.
“We’ve grown in craft by five-fold,” said Gordy. “We have more variety. What’s really nice is that, not only do we have more selection, but every case of beer or package of beer, you can buy cold,” said Gordy.
Fast & Fresh Express
Should weather cooperate, customers will be able to take advantage of the Fast & Fresh Express gas station, a full-fledged gas station operation with six gas pumps and all of the offerings of a traditional convenience store – food, fountain drinks, lottery tickets, alcohol and cigarettes.
Gordy said, while customers can still use their Fuel Saver cards at Casey’s General Stores, use of the cards at the Fast & Fresh Express gas station will offer better convenience.
Coming soon
Finally, Creston Hy-Vee is proud to announce its partnership with Starbucks Coffee Company.
Next month, Creston Hy-Vee will undergo light construction toward the front of the store as crews install a new Starbucks Coffee location.
The Starbucks counter employees, who will be trained to the same standards as those who work in standalone Starbucks stores, will be Hy-Vee employees.
Gordy said the community response has been wonderful and he thanks customers for their patience during the renovation.
“It’s always scary when you disrupt people’s shopping like that,” said Gordy. “It was amazing how positive people have been going through the lines at the store and we really appreciate it.”
Grand re-opening
The community is invited to visit Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh today and tomorrow for its grand re-opening.
As part of the festivities, the community is invited to the store 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for the annual Holiday to Holiday Extravaganza sponsored by the Creston News Advertiser, Hy-Vee and Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company.
Gordy said the store is planning wine and beer tasting stations Saturday in its newly revamped wine and spirits department for the event, as well as other product sampling stations set up throughout the store that, as time goes on, he said customers can expect to see more often.