Hy-Vee to expand into Wisconsin; first new state since 1988

MADISON, Wis. Hy-Vee has selected Wisconsin as the first new state to host its expanded operations, company officials said Thursday.

The company is planning to open a store in Madison, Wis.—the first new state to host Hy-Vee's expansion in nearly 20 years.

Once the company receives city approval, said Hy-Vee spokeswoman Chris Friesleben, the 90,000-square-foot store will be built on the site of a former Kmart.

The permit and construction process will take several months, Friesleben said and added that the West Des Moines-based company has not expanded to a new state since 1988 when it built a store in Kansas.

Hy-Vee operates about 197 grocery stores and 26 drug stores in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota.