Former Shopko location among several in NE Iowa to be opened as Dollar Fresh stores...

The former Shopko location at the intersection of Ninth Street SW and Eleventh Avenue SW in Waukon is one of six former Shopko locations in Iowa that Hy-Vee, Inc. has recently reached purchase agreements on to re-open under the Hy-Vee subsidiary Dollar Fresh brand later this year, according to a release issued by Hy-Vee, Inc. Monday, January 27. In the upcoming weeks, the former Waukon Shopko location will join similar locations in Cresco, Oelwein, Hampton, Dyersville and Vinton in undergoing renovations to open as Dollar Fresh stores by late summer.

According to Hy-Vee, Inc. Public Relations Director Christina Gayman, department specifics to be offered at the Waukon location have not yet been made public. She did say that all other existing Dollar Fresh locations currently in operation do have pharmacies, much like what was previously offered at the former Shopko location, but could not confirm at this point as to whether that would be something offered at the Waukon location. Dollar Fresh locations are designed to offer customers in smaller communities a full selection of grocery items, a bakery section, a dollar section, a Wall of Value, ready-to-eat meal offerings and other services, according to Monday’s news release.

“As we continue to innovate, we’re taking a look at the needs of rural communities,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman of the board, CEO and president. “At our Dollar Fresh stores, our customers will be greeted with helpful smiles that deliver a great customer experience while also encountering a wide selection of quality products at low prices.” The first Dollar Fresh store opened in Iowa in Osceola in fall 2018. Hy-Vee has also operated Dollar Fresh stores in Centerville and Creston since late 2018 and more recently opened new locations in Emmetsburg and Toledo in Iowa, as well as in West Point, NE, during the final two months of this past year. Standard photo by Joe Moses.