Hy-Vee selling land in 5 metro communities in favor of larger-scale stores

By KSTP

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Grocery store chain Hy-Vee has elected to sell five parcels of land previously purchased in the metro area after it reports plans for those sites no longer fit the chain’s plans for expansion.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS confirmed with Hy-Vee representatives that the Des Moines, Iowa-based retailer is no longer proceeding with development plans for the five sites.

The sites affected by this decision are:

  • A Farmington location, in the Vermillion River Crossings development off Highway 50.
  • A Chaska location, west of Highway 212 in the Chaska Creek Business Center.
  • A Blaine location, across from Blaine High School.
  • A Maple Grove location, at Highway 610 and Maple Grove Parkway North.
  • A West St. Paul location, at the former YMCA property on Thompson Avenue.

“A lot has changed since we first acquired these locations,” Jeremy Gosch, president and chief operating officer at Hy-Vee, said in a statement. “As customers’ shopping patterns have changed over the pandemic, we’ve determined that there is a need for larger store formats that these current sites simply are not able to accommodate.”

Hy-Vee officials have said they are making 150,000-square-foot or larger stores “the centerpiece” of future development plans. Some of those new, large-format stores are already being built in Indianapolis, Louisville and Nashville.

As 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS previously reported, Farmington has faced ongoing concerns about the lack of access to groceries for its residents.

A file photo of a Hy-Vee store sign. (KSTP/File)

In 2019, KSTP Reporter Kirsten Swanson covered community reaction to Family Fresh Market closing its doors. It was the only grocery store in town and the city hasn’t had a grocery store since then.

Local nonprofits served meals at that time to help those with a lack of transportation access.

In a statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt said, “I’m disappointed Hy-Vee is not coming to the city, but it’s a great opportunity for another grocery store to step up and fill the need.”

KSTP Reporter Joe Mazan is following this news Tuesday; stay with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS and KSTP.com for updates.