Contributed photo by John Speer “Value is the theme,” says store director Ryan Melton of the new Dollar Fresh grocery store which opened last week in the former Shopko location on South County Road in Toledo.

A line of patrons eager to shop the new Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh and Hy-Vee Pharmacy stretched from the front doors to U.S. Highway 63 at the 7 a.m. opening time on Tuesday, store director Ryan Melton said.

Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce members joined city and economic development officials in welcoming the new Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh local employees and corporate representatives at the official ribbon cutting.

Hy-Vee purchased the former Shopko property at 1006 South County Road earlier this year.

“The main emphasis we are trying to convey with this grocery store is value,” Melton said. The Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh store carries about $800,000 in total inventory, he said.

“As we continue to innovate, we’re taking a look at the needs of our rural communities,” Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman of the board, CEO and president said in a statement issued upon the opening of the new Toledo location. “At our Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh stores, our customers will be greeted with helpful smiles that deliver a great customer experience while also encountering a wide selection of quality products at low prices.”

From now finding a big fresh produce selection where women’s fashion once stood to the Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh six grades of beef and a full service meat and fresh seafood counter where toys used to be – there’s a lot to discover.

Aisle after aisle of groceries and related products, a “wall of frozen pizza,” ready to-eat-meals, and, Melton says, “there’s a 52-foot-long offering of Hispanic foods” to be found.

There’s “13 pallets of deals” featured, a health and beauty department and a 65-foot-long section of cold beers along with a full wine and spirit department.

Fresh bakery goods will be delivered to the store daily from the bakery in the Marshalltown Hy-Vee, Melton said. Specialty baked goods may be ordered and delivered to the Toledo location.

The pharmacy is located in the front of the store with Mike Bachhelder and staff serving customers. Hy-Vee purchased the pharmacy operation from Shopko in February and it has continued in operation through the remodeling of the property.

Store hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Pharmacy hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Dollar Fresh Store in Toledo is the fourth to be opened by Hy-Vee with other locations in Osceola, Centerville, Creston and Emmetsburg.

Another is scheduled to open in West Point, Neb. on Dec. 11.