After almost two years since the announcement that Hy-Vee Incorporated would be building a new supermarket in Jefferson, the store will be open later this month.

The new 34,800 square-foot store on West Washington Street will have a grand opening at 6am on Tuesday, February 24th.

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman Randy Edeker says the Jefferson store is one of a few prototypes that features everything a larger-scale store (90,000 square-foot) would have in a more condensed manner.  He points out that 2 ½ years ago, he looked at cities with populations of around 5,000 people for possible store locations.  The Hy-Vee Drugstore has been in Jefferson since 1986, but he felt that there needed to be a full grocery store.

It is located in the middle of a residential area, which Edeker says isn’t where they usually have their stores.

“We wanted to be close to the (downtown) square and the highway  and so this was open.  We felt like it was a good location.  It seems like the City helped as well.  We think this is going to be a great spot.  It’s not typical of what we do, but we think it’ll be fine.”

The new store features a Market Cafe which serves restaurant-quality food with a bar and outdoor dining; a hot food bar with barbecue, hot Asian and Italian food departments; a salad and cold foods bar; a bakery; a delicatessen station; a fresh and frozen seafood and meat departments and a wine and spirit department.  In total, there are over 20,000-items and an in-store pharmacy with a drive-up window.  McFarland Clinic’s attached 7,500 square-foot area will be complete by late May.

Another new feature will be online grocery shopping.  A customer can order their groceries online and it will be available for either pickup or delivery.  Small fees will be charged for those orders under $100 and if the order is over $100, it will be free.

Store Director Lori Subbert says Hy-Vee will continue to be a supporter of the community.

“We’re going to be a big part of it.  It’s just something that I, as a store director, are passionate about; being involved in the community, being able to give back to the community just as they do to us.”

Construction began this past September and it was finished by January 25th.  It will have 237 total employees, including the 17 employees from the Hy-Vee Drugstore which will be closing on February 21st.

Store hours will be 5am-midnight, seven days per week.

The management team includes: Kim Coffin as manager of store operations, Jon Quast as assistant manager of store operations, Keis Morrissey as assistant manager of perishables, Sita Pasillas as assistant manager, Rae Olerich as assistant manager, Jenni Hollman as assistant manager and Rianna Stott as assistant manager.

Pictures of the some of the departments are below: