Waukee Open For Business
Nearly 30 customers lined up at 6 a.m. to be the first through the doors at Hy-Vee’s newest store in Waukee, IA, which officially opened for business today.
Barb Wright, who says she has been waiting seven years for a “good” grocery option to arrive on her side of town, was the first person in line. After walking through the 90,000 square-foot store, dubbed Wow-Kee, she said it lived up to its hype.
“This is a beautiful store,” Wright says. “I love the produce section… it’s just a nice store.”
That is music to Store Director Brandon Lampkin and assistant manager DJ Vega’s ears, who spent the first part of the morning personally greeting everyone who walked through the doors with a goodie bag and, of course, a helpful smile.
“This is a dream come true,” Lampkin says.
“I can’t believe how far and how quickly we’ve come,” says Vega, a student teacher at Northview in Ankeny, who was hired in July.
The store is home to the fourth Market Grille, a full-service restaurant and bar concept; a made-to-order sushi bar; a large HealthMarket and bulk foods section; a tasting room next to the walk-in beer cooler in the Wine & Spirits department; 1,400 produce items; and a number of other amenities that will offer customers more than 9,000 specialty items among the 60,000 SKUs the store offers.
It’s been a good first morning for Hy-Vee’s newest store in a brand new community, says Jen Kopriva, assistant vice president, operations, west central district.
“It’s exciting as can be to see customers walk in for the first time and see how thrilled they are,” she says. “We are very proud to be a part of the Waukee community.”
