This Enormous Iowa Grocery Store Stands Out With An Impressive Range Of Choices

You can pick up sushi, fill a prescription at a drive-up window, and mail a package without ever leaving the grocery store. And yes, all of that happens inside one supermarket in Iowa, which carries about 100,000 items under a single roof.

The building covers roughly 93,000 square feet. When it opened, its company called it their first entirely reimagined grocery store.

Over 100 TVs hang throughout, and the shelf labels are all digital.

I appreciate a store that plans for real life. You can grab breakfast, fill a prescription at a drive-up window, and mail a package at the service desk.

Kids even get their own club with monthly scavenger hunts.

I’d probably need a map on my first trip. Good news, there are digital kiosks for that.

So how long would you last before wandering off the list?

Wear Comfortable Shoes Because This Store Is Basically A Small Town

Ninety-three thousand square feet is a lot of grocery store. The Grimes Hy-Vee opened on September 14, 2021, and it was built to impress from day one.

Hy-Vee called it the first entirely reimagined grocery store in its eight-state territory. The company also labeled it the most innovative store it had built up to that point.

That kind of ambition came with a serious price tag. Hy-Vee invested more than $26 million to build, furnish, and stock the place.

The project also brought around 400 jobs to the community. About 120 of those were full-time positions, which is a big deal for a growing suburb.

When it opened, it ranked as the third-largest Hy-Vee in Iowa. Larger stores have since joined the family, but this one still feels huge once you start exploring.

So what fills all that space? Think about 100,000 items, including more than 10,000 specialty products you won’t spot on every shelf.

My advice is simple. Make a list, then accept that you’ll probably ignore half of it.

Curiosity tends to win in a store this size. Honestly, that’s half the fun.

Lunch Gets Complicated When The Food Hall Offers This Many Options

Sushi, hibachi, Italian, and burgers all under one grocery store roof? The open Food Hall at Hy-Vee in Grimes makes deciding on lunch a real challenge.

It serves fast-casual meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That means you can start your morning here and come back hungry hours later.

At opening, the lineup included Mia Italian, HyChi and Hibachi, Nori Sushi, Market Grille Express, Long Island Deli, and even a Wahlburgers at Hy-Vee. Some partners have changed over the years, so check what’s serving before you arrive hungry.

Then there’s Wahlburgers at Hy-Vee, which brings a famous burger name into the building. It’s an easy pick when everyone in the group wants something different.

Want a salad made your way without waiting in line? A Chowbotics vending machine builds custom salads right on the spot.

An in-store Starbucks rounds things out for coffee fans. Grabbing a latte before tackling the aisles feels like a smart strategy.

Digital kiosks let you order fresh prepared foods without fuss. You can even order custom cakes from those same screens.

Hungry shoppers make impulsive choices, so eat first. Your cart and your budget will both thank you later.

Sweet Tooths Should Plan An Extra Lap Past The Bakery And Candy Shoppe

Fresh bread smells are hard to walk past, and this bakery doesn’t make it any easier. The full-service bakery covers artisan breads, specialty loaves, patisserie treats, and cakes.

A cake decorator station adds a fun twist. You can see where birthday and celebration cakes get their finishing touches.

Planning a party? Custom cakes can be ordered through the digital kiosks, which saves a little time at the counter.

My tip is to order early for big events. Busy weekends and holidays fill up quickly at any bakery, and giving extra notice helps everyone.

Now, about that candy. The expanded Candy Shoppe department carries premium, novelty, and nostalgic selections.

Nostalgic candy is a sneaky trap for grown-ups. One glance at a childhood favorite and suddenly it’s in the cart.

Kids will love browsing the novelty picks, too. It’s a good reward spot after a long shopping trip without complaints.

I can’t imagine skipping this corner of the store. Even a quick loop past the pastries feels like a tiny vacation from your grocery list.

Steak Lovers Will Find A Dry-Aged Case Worth Pausing For

A glass case full of dry-aged steaks is not something every supermarket offers. At this Hy-Vee, it sits right at the full-service meat counter.

The counter also features a chef’s station and Chophouse selections. Packaged meats are ready to grab when you’re in a hurry.

Having a chef’s station nearby is handy for weeknight cooks. It’s a nice way to get ideas when dinner plans feel stuck.

Seafood gets its own spotlight with a full-service seafood counter. The store focuses on sustainable seafood options, which matters to many shoppers today.

Head over to the delicatessen for something lighter. Staff hand-shave meats and cheeses, and the counter carries specialty cheeses and charcuterie.

That charcuterie setup is perfect for game nights or holiday gatherings. Pick a few cheeses, add some sliced meats, and you’ve got an instant snack board.

Here’s a practical idea for busy families. Grab protein at the counter and pair it with sides from the deli.

Dinner basically assembles itself that way. Fewer stops, less stress, and more time to actually enjoy your meal.

Healthy Eating Gets Easier With Over 1,500 Produce Items

More than 1,500 produce items fill the fresh section here. Over 100 of them are organic, so there’s plenty of choice for every kind of shopper.

That variety makes trying new foods less intimidating. Maybe this is the week you finally pick up that odd-looking fruit you always skip.

The HealthMarket department is another standout. It stocks more than 5,000 items, including a big lineup of vitamins and sports nutrition products.

Athletes and gym regulars will appreciate having those options in one spot. It beats making a separate trip to a specialty shop.

Need a little guidance? Registered dietitians offer in-store and virtual nutrition counseling, plus meal planning and wellness programs.

I appreciate that the help goes beyond selling products. Talking with an expert can make healthy changes feel doable instead of overwhelming.

The store also hosts Simple Fix freezer meal workshops. They’re designed to help you prep meals ahead for busy weeks.

Picture fewer hectic dinner rushes on school nights. Okay, that one’s a dream, but these workshops get you closer to it.

Fitness Gear And Beauty Finds Share Space With The Groceries

When it opened in 2021, the Grimes Hy-Vee went all in on store-within-a-store concepts. Shoppers could browse shoes, try on clothes, and even book a manicure between grocery aisles.

Retail trends move fast, though, and several of those partnerships have since wrapped up. Rather than leave empty corners behind, Hy-Vee chose to fill the freed-up space with the everyday products customers reach for most.

That shift actually works in your favor. More room for popular items means fewer empty shelves and fewer trips to a second store.

Beauty lovers can still browse a dedicated beauty department, which makes it easy to restock skincare and bath favorites while picking up dinner.

The general merchandise aisles cover far more than a typical grocery run, too. Household basics, seasonal items, and small gifts all share space under the same roof.

All of this saves serious driving time. Instead of hopping between shopping centers, you can knock out several errands in one visit.

Just keep an eye on the clock. A quick milk run can easily turn into an afternoon adventure here.

Your Phone Can Do The Checkout Work Here

Paper price tags are missing from these shelves, and that’s on purpose. Every shelf label is digital, showing product information and pricing.

It’s part of the state-of-the-art technology built into this Iowa store. Prices can update without someone climbing ladders with tiny stickers.

Look up and you’ll notice screens everywhere. More than 100 TVs highlight Hy-Vee products, promotions, and services throughout the building.

Hy-Vee Scan and Go is a clever tool for speedy shoppers. You scan items with your phone as you go, then pay right in the app.

Prefer the classic approach? Self-checkout lanes are available for a quicker exit when your cart isn’t overflowing.

Getting lost is a fair worry in a store this big. Digital kiosks help with wayfinding, product lookup, and store maps.

My advice is to use those kiosks on your first visit. They can save you from circling the same aisle three times searching for capers.

Technology won’t pick your snacks for you, though. That part is still entirely your responsibility, for better or worse.

Errands And Kid Perks Make The Trip Surprisingly Painless

Mailing a package and grabbing dinner usually means two stops. At Hy-Vee, located at 351 NE Gateway Dr, Grimes, IA 50111, the customer service desk handles a lot more than returns.

Postal services, money orders, and Western Union are all available there. You can even drop off dry cleaning or rent a Rug Doctor.

The pharmacy includes a drive-up window. That’s a lifesaver when a sick kid is in the back seat and nobody wants to go inside.

Short on time? Hy-Vee Aisles Online offers grocery delivery and pick-up, and catering services can handle bigger events.

Families with little ones should know about the Hy-Vee Kids Club. Members get free surprises in departments, a personalized name tag, and a birthday cupcake coupon.

Monthly scavenger hunts and events keep kids busy, too. Turning shopping into a game is pure parenting genius.

I love how it changes the whole mood of the trip. A bored child becomes a mini explorer hunting for clues.

Hometown Pride And Late Hours Seal The Deal

Black and gold sits near cardinal and gold here, and somehow everyone gets along. The general merchandise section carries gear for the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.

Dallas Center-Grimes gear shows up too. It’s a sweet nod to the local schools and the families who cheer them on.

Game day prep gets easy with snacks and spirit wear in one cart. Just maybe don’t start a rivalry debate in the checkout lane.

Sports fans have another reason to stop by. The Grimes Hy-Vee sits near the Hy-Vee Multiplex, a 50-acre synthetic turf multi-sport complex.

Tournament weekends become simpler with a huge store close by. Parents can stock up on water, fruit, and quick meals between games.

Need fuel or a fast snack instead? A Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh convenience store sits at the southwest end of the parking lot.

The main store opens daily at 6 a.m., with late-night hours that work for early birds and night owls alike, so check current closing times before a late run.

Iowa has plenty of grocery stores. Few make a simple errand feel this much like an outing.