Q. Whatever happened to the grocery store that was supposed to be built in Westgate Mall?

A. Construction of an 80,500-square-foot Hy-Vee grocery store which may open next year was approved by the city's Plan Commission in February, said city planner Tim Parks.

Part of Westgate Mall - from the southern wall of TJ Maxx to Odana Road - will be demolished to build the store, which will be the state's second after its first Hy-Vee opened last month at 3801 E. Washington Ave.

The next step in the planning process for the Iowa-based company, Parks said, is showing they've complied with the conditions of approval put forth by the city. The company has already submitted two rounds of plans for review and the most recent was completed by city officials in early September.

"They've been moving at a deliberate pace," Parks said.

Once the conditions of approval are verified by the zoning department, the company can be issued building permits.

The 24-hour store will include a pharmacy, a dining area, a wine and spirits facility, a Caribou Coffee shop, a floral section and a health market featuring natural and organic products.

Hy-Vee Inc. operates more than 220 stores in seven Midwestern states.

- Devin Rose

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