New Format From Casey’s Fills a Grocery Need in Iowa Town

Casey’s General Stores Inc., a convenience-store chain with more than 2,400 locations in 16 states, has launched a new format in Des Moines, Iowa, near Drake University—an area that “is a bit of a food desert,” said Stephanie Brennan, a member of the Drake Neighborhood Association.

“There’s really nothing grocery-wise in the actual Drake neighborhood. So this really does fill a need,” Brennan told the Des Moines Register. “Obviously, students will take most advantage of it, but the neighborhood will too. It’s a walkable area. It’s really going to be a nice way to re-energize Forest Avenue, bring businesses back in and fill some of those empty buildings.”

The 3,380-square-foot Casey’s, which opened April 22, is designed without a gasoline pump island setup, the company said. Instead, it focuses on Casey’s convenience food and beverage offerings.

“We think that everything we have here is what the community and guests in this very walkable environment will need,” Casey's Director of Communications and Community Katie Petru told the Register. “This is the only store like this in our portfolio, so we will learn some things from it. And I think regardless, we’re always looking at where we’re situating ourselves and what will make sense there. I think a more urban environment or college campus environment could naturally lend itself to consider whether fuel needs to be there or not.”

Des Moines, Iowa-based Casey’s will open a second store in the area on April 29. The 4,163-square-foot store will have a six-dispenser gasoline and diesel island setup. The new stores will offer Casey’s pizza, bakery items, bean-to-cup coffee and more.

“Casey’s is proud to be based in the Des Moines area, and excited to open these two highly anticipated stores to serve more guests here,” said Darren Rebelez, president and CEO of Casey’s.

A version of this story appeared on WGB sister site, CSPDailyNews.com.