Hy-Vee in talks with city of Des Moines over downtown hours

Hy-Vee is in talks with city officials in Des Moines, Iowa, after the grocer cut back on its hours of operation at its downtown location, reports the Des Moines Register. 

The newspaper reports that on Feb. 5, the downtown Hy-Vee cut its hours of operation by several hours, opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. The previous hours were 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Criticism from customers resulted in another change to the hours, which were moved to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The changes violate the grocer’s 2015 development agreement, the story noted. 

City officials and Hy-Vee have engaged in discussions about the matter, which could be brought before the city council as early as May 6. 

Hy-Vee spokesperson Tina Potthoff told the Des Moines Register that Hy-Vee officials have been meeting with city officials for the last few weeks and are close to reaching an agreement. 

The store’s original hours in 2017 were from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., which went beyond the original agreement of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The story noted that downtown Des Moines's population growth — up 82% to 8,371 between 2010 and 2020 — motivated city officials to encourage a grocery store in the area.