HY-VEE DOUBLES FROZEN FOOD DEPARTMENT IN STORE REMODEL

MARYELLEN LO BOSCO

AUSTIN, Minn. -- The size of the frozen-food department at a Hy-Vee unit here is being doubled as part of a store remodel.

The project is increasing the size of the store by 15,000 square feet to 65,000 square feet.

The frozens department, which currently has 168 running feet of doors in one aisle, is being expanded to two aisles, or 336 running feet, according to Kevin Mills, assistant manager.

The new frozens department will have doors and two permanent dual-temp coolers as endcaps.

The renovation is adding to the east side of the store, and work will progress behind the scenes with minimum inconvenience to customers, said Mills.

"This is a rolling remodel, and we will not shut down in the 14-month process," Mills said. "We'll relocate the entire frozen-food department in the new addition." The purpose of the project is to boost sales and meet customer demand for more variety. Mills said all frozen-food categories are being expanded.

"[After the remodel] this will be the most modern facility in southern Minnesota," Mills said, noting that the store will be of the same caliber as Hy-Vee's four new-prototype "21st-century" units.

Like the other Hy-Vee stores, the remodel will use a clean design with minimum signage. The new frozen-food department will have white ceiling tiles, wide aisles and bright lighting.

Expansion will take place in most other departments, in addition to frozen foods, and will include a 3,500-square-foot liquor store that will be built next to the Hy-Vee unit.