By Nick Starling nstarling@nebraska.tv
Facebook / Twitter @NTVNickStarling
With the heavy possibility of regional grocery store chain Hy-Vee stomping to Kearney, local grocery stores are remaining optimistic.
"We're very excited to be coming to the Kearney area," said Grand Island Hy-Vee store director Dave Blum.
"Kind of excited actually. It's a different change from the other stores," said shopper Debby Struempler.
Stores like Boogaarts -- which is locally owned -- say they've anticipated this announcement for a while now.
"I've been hearing about Hy-Vee coming to town probably about months now, so when I heard it was coming to town for real, I was not all that shocked. Rumors are now reality," said Boogaarts store manager Evan Smith.
The proposed Hy-Vee location will be on the west side of 2nd Avenue right across from retail giant Wal-Mart.
"I was excited. I love Hy-Vee and whenever I go to Grand Island I shop there," said shopper Jan Miller.
"We get customers all the time from Kearney here to Grand Island. Not a day goes by where someone asks me when a store will be built in Kearney," said Blum.
Smith says customers will be curious about the new store but they hope to keep those loyal customers.
"I think at first people will go check it out. That might affect us a little bit. I think that we have a lot of qualities that will bring people back," said Smith.
"Maybe give them a little run for their money," said Struempler.
"It definitely works out good for the consumer," says Smith.
