Hy-Vee will close an Iowa location later this year

Hy-Vee has confirmed the upcoming closure of its North Ottumwa, Iowa, Hy-Vee location. The closure started out as a rumor on social media earlier this week, but the grocer has told Supermarket News, “We recently announced to our employees that we made the decision not to renew our lease on the North Ottumwa Hy-Vee and will eventually close that location later this year.”

Hy-Vee said that it will continue to serve its customers in the area through its South Ottumwa Hy-Vee location, Ottumwa Hy-Vee Drug Store location, and two Ottumwa Fast & Fresh locations—all properties that Hy-Vee owns. “Over the next few months, we will work with our employees at the North Ottumwa Hy-Vee to fill available positions at our other nearby Hy-Vee locations,” the company said in the statement to SN.

North Ottumwa Hy-Vee pharmacy patients will receive additional information in the coming months about transferring prescriptions to alternative locations. Hy-Vee said it “will continue to invest in the local area and our employees” and remains committed to serving its customers in Ottumwa during the transition. 

“While the North Ottumwa store will continue to remain open over the upcoming months and a definitive closing date will be announced at a later time, we believed it was best to let our employees and customers know as soon as possible,” Hy-Vee said. 

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Hy-Vee said that another reason for the early announcement is that it allows the leaseholder to find another business to occupy the building versus leaving open retail space in the community.