A positive choice
Published 11:33 am Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Anticipation had been building for years over an expansion at the Austin Hy-Vee, and last week the company took the first steps toward making it official. The Herald would like to congratulate Hy-Vee on its investment in the Austin community.
Austin is growing, and expanding a grocery store makes sense. The move also means more economic growth for Austin, with roughly 75 new jobs, the benefits associated with a large-scale construction project — from jobs for contractors to the money those workers will spend in Austin — and more choices for local consumers.
The Iowa-based grocery store said the 22,000-square-foot expansion will cost $7 to $10 million, will possibly start this fall and will be completed in about 12 months. New and expanded services include a full-service restaurant serving wine and beer, a sushi bar, a gourmet cheese shop, a salsa bar, a pharmacy drive through, and expanded departments throughout the facility. Hy-Vee officials said these services are included in nearly all new Hy-Vees, and Austin will get to test drive a lot of the new amenities.
Hy-Vee made a good decision by expanding in Austin.