Hy-Vee will begin phase one of its six-phase plan to expand its Austin location by at least 20,000 square feet this July.

The $7-10 million project will boost Hy-Vee’s space to about 88,000 square feet with the addition taking place this summer, according to Hy-Vee General Manager Todd Hepler.

“We really are going to open up this store,” Hepler said. “We’re going to give more space for the consumer, but also give them a shopping experience that they’ve never had before and do it in a way that we’re not going to close.”

Construction on the addition is set to begin around July 7 and last about three months, according to Hepler. During that time, the store addition to the south and east will be built and the new Hy-Vee entrance will be constructed. The store’s east entrance will temporary close during construction but reopen as soon as it’s finished, Hepler said.

The project, which Hy-Vee officials announced last July, will add a variety of new services to Hy-Vee’s Austin location. One of the biggest changes will be a new restaurant and bar, which would seat more than 150 people, serve wine and beer, and would add wait staff to Hy-Vee’s employees. It will also include a sushi bar and have a separate entrance.

In addition, the store will have an indoor entryway to the Hy-Vee Liquor Store and a streamlined drive-through for Hy-Vee’s pharmacy, as well as a physician to provide quick clinic services at Hy-Vee.

Hy-Vee will also have expanded Chinese and Italian sections, along with an olive bar, an expanded olive oil shelf and a few changes around the store, such as moving the bakery to the middle of the store instead of the back.

Hepler said Hy-Vee will post all six phases of the project inside the store so everyone can see where construction is at. He’ll also hold what he calls Talks with Todd to have conversations with people about the project; its benefits to the community and when people can expect to see changes inside the store.

Residents’s shouldn’t expect too many things to shut down, as Hy-Vee officials plan to smoothly transition items and spaces. Very little will be closed, and services that are won’t be down for long, according to Hepler.

“Everything should go seamlessly,” he said.

The larger store with added services is a new trend for Hy-Vee. A similar Hy-Vee opened in Urbandale, Iowa, in August 2012.

What will change:

The Austin Hy-Vee will add or expand the following services and elements to its store:

•A full service restaurant, also serving wine and beer, and a sushi bar

•An expanded kitchen area with Chinese and Italian dishes, smoked meats, calzones, gelato, a chef demonstration area and more

•A gourmet cheese shop, and a humus and salsa bar

•Almost all existing departments will expand

•Bulk items

•A pharmacy drive-through

•A remodeled store front made up of glass and brick

•The health market will roughly double in size

•More selection throughout the grocery store

•An expanded wine and spirits with a store entrance

•More parking