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Wesleyan students research loss of Hy-Vee

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 12:06:27 pm CDT

What impact does the loss of a grocery store have on a neighborhood?

A group of Nebraska Wesleyan University students set out to answer that question this semester as they followed the controversial story of the University Place Hy-Vee leaving the neighborhood.

The students attended community meetings, led focus groups and conducted interviews throughout the University Place neighborhood after Hy-Vee announced it would close its store at 48th Street and Leighton Avenue and open new stores at 84th and Holdrege and 50th and O.

Story Photo
Jim Norsworthy returns his shopping cart after buying groceries at the Hy-Vee near 48th and Leighton in this February 2008 file photo. (LJS File)

University Place residents reacted strongly to the decision, lobbying for a new grocery store to replace Hy-Vee at 48th and Leighton. The loss of a grocery store, residents said, could send the neighborhood into a downward spiral.

That led Hy-Vee to announce a new plan: It eventually will open a smaller-scale store at 48th and Leighton that won’t have the same variety as the large store but still will offer a full range of products.

The Wesleyan students’ research is titled “How Urban Sprawl Creates a Neighborhood’s Downfall: A Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Losing a Community Grocery Store.”

The students will present their research Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the Olin A. Lecture Hall, located inside the Olin Hall of Science one block east of 50th Street and St. Paul Avenue.


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JB wrote on May 7, 2008 12:31 pm:
" Look at Havelock. It had three grocery stores and lost them all. Now it has one back! "

 Kevin wrote on May 7, 2008 12:34 pm:
" Interesting. It's exciting for me to see students taking on a real-world project like this. "

 Rudy wrote on May 7, 2008 12:37 pm:
" What an excellent class project. Nebraska Wesleayn seems to be a leader and on the cutting edge of things. Great university!!!! "

 AD - A little soon wrote on May 7, 2008 12:57 pm:
" Isn't it a little soon to determine the effect of this HyVee store closing? Also, it was not a "community grocery store" but a chain grocery store and another chain grocery store is only 22 blocks south of this location. Lincoln residents cry and moan about change and cry and moan because Lincoln can't keep up and retain young professionals - you can't have it both ways "

 DP wrote on May 7, 2008 12:58 pm:
" I hope they do the follow up story on how the new Hy-Vee stores at the other locations have an impact on those neighborhoods. "

 Uh... wrote on May 7, 2008 1:55 pm:
" When have there been studies on all the hundreds of other business's that have died in Lincoln? Who cares about 'Hy-Vee', they can take care of their own. "

 To AD wrote on May 7, 2008 2:07 pm:
" I lived in the neighborhood for a few years. It was an integral part of the neighborhood for those who didn't have access to a vehicle or chose to walk to the store instead of drive. It was a neighborhood store, even though it was a chain store. People there knew many regulars by name.

I don't know if you lived there or not, but the neighborhood population is older, except for right around NWU, so "going just 22 blocks" down the street for some folks is a much harder option, especially those that can't drive. Have a little bit of consideration for your fellows, before you condemn us all for "crying and moaning." Most of the retail in that area is helped immensely by having a grocery near them. Poeple shop at those stores because they can get their groceries and then go to those shops, all in one stop.

I would guess those businesses that remained after the HY-vee closed, are not doing as well as they were before the store is closed. Except for Walgreen's of course, they probably saw an increase in convenience shopping for quick grocery items there.

Why shouldn't the neighborhood be concerned about losing an major piece that has been vital to it for many years now? "

 How is it a community store wrote on May 7, 2008 2:11 pm:
" Where Hy-Vee was located is not like a Havlock. It will have no affect, the only people who it will have an effect on are the people who let it. You have two choices when change is presented to you, live with it and move on or let it make your life more difficult and complain about it. Which one always works? hmmm. The fact that there is a grocery street DOWN the street (Super Saver) and these people cry about it makes me wonder how they would ever live in a large city or a small city for that matter. I live by a Wal-Mart and choose not to go there, so I have to drive a few extra minutes and wow let me tell you how hard it has made my life, I just feel like giving up. (sarcasm)Do these people really think everyone and every store front is just going to disapear magically? Get a grasp on life and how it works (especially from a business standpoint). There will continue to be thousands of people who live around the N 48th area, so inturn businesses will survive. "

 jk wrote on May 7, 2008 2:38 pm:
" hy-vee should at least be required to keep up the maintenance on that property, it took about 2 days before it was tagged by the local gangs. that builiding instantly became an eyesore and has brought down the 'feel' of the area which will be what kills the area in terms of new businesses entering the neighborhood. "

 Matt wrote on May 7, 2008 2:56 pm:
" I’m afraid I don’t quite understand some of the apathy that people have towards this closing. We need to remember that there is a difference between HyVee wanting to pull up stakes and HyVee salting the earth at 48th and Leighton so that no substantial grocery store can move in for another three years. Please keep in mind that this is a block flanked on two sides by separate college campuses – for students without cars who want to eat real food but can’t afford to shell out thousands of dollars to pay for a meal plan, “only 22 blocks” is a long walk.
I am glad that HyVee decided to compromise and allow a smaller store to move in, but people need to understand that there is more to this reaction than a bunch of residents “crying and moaning about change”. Neighborhoods tend to base their identity around local business, and nothing says “decay” like having the biggest building in the area vacant for three years.
"

 to AD wrote on May 7, 2008 2:59 pm:
" Only 22 blocks away, eh? That's quite a walk for people with no form of transportation other than feet! I think it might affect the neighborhood, but I too agree that it's too early to determine if there will be a "downward spiral." I can't see any permanent damage from the store closing, but I sure would be upset about it! "

 Understand the purpose of the article wrote on May 7, 2008 3:08 pm:
" It's not so much that it is the "HyVee" store that they lost as it is that they do not have a grocery store in their neighborhood...and yes, it is a neighborhood. There are many low-income or single parent families in this neighborhood that walk to the store...imagine that, having to walk! Hauling small children 22 blocks south in inclement weather on a busy street....oh boy, sounds real doable to me. Maybe those of you who think this will not have an impact on the neighborhood should offer to drive these folks...I am sure they would appreciate it. And yes, Havelock now has one grocery store...a local chain that doesn't offer the lowest prices in town, but it works well for the people that do not have transportation. The story is about college kids looking at the impact this will have in the neighborhood...not about whiners. And what better place for them to study than "their own backyard" since Wesleyan is right there. "

 Joe wrote on May 7, 2008 3:27 pm:
" I care about Hy-Vee leaving 48th Street. I have been to the new store only a few times and likely won't go back --- it's too corporate and there is no more "helpful smile in every aisle" because the store is TOO BIG! "

 get real wrote on May 7, 2008 3:44 pm:
" there hasnt been other studies done on other store closings because people havnt cared. this is a great opportunity for the wesleyan studies to take on! and it was considered a "community store" that im sure alot of those students became acquainted it. i personally live in this location and now i dont have a convenient grocery store at all. now a days people are all about convenience, and if you dont make them happy they will complain. just how it goes. "

 uni place person wrote on May 7, 2008 3:57 pm:
" This particular Hy-Vee is seen as a community grocery store because of its unique location within University Place,which was once a small town and still retains much of those characteristics.

The Wesleyan students go to school in the same neighborhood, so it was a natural for them to go into their community and reseach a real-world case. I doubt they have the time and resources to do the same for hundreds of other businesses, as "Uh" suggests.

Personally, I'm glad they took the initiative to actively participate in a major event in their immediate neighborhood, and apply their classroom learning to it.
"

 chuck wrote on May 7, 2008 5:44 pm:
" This isnt about HyVee this is about the people in this neighborhood. In that store youu always got the one on one service if you needed it,something the new store has been slightly slacking on. Also there are people of lower income who need a store in the area that is close due to lack of transportation, and convenience. I personally feel both stores would have excelled if they had left it be. The construction of new homes and people in this town seems to double by the day. Now the closest store is at least 2-3 miles away, which is not very easy for any one to get to. "

 Sw wrote on May 7, 2008 6:10 pm:
" I can see the advantage of having a grocery store there as I lived close for four years, however, like another poster said there is a store very close, so the difference really isn't that big. Also, much like Creighton, just because Wesleyan is a private school, it does not make it a good one. Both schools are vastly over-rated. "

 Jalengrma wrote on May 7, 2008 6:29 pm:
" When is Hy-Vee going to open that scaled down store there? Driving by today I noticed that it is still empty. I hope that Hy-Vee is true to its word and that they will do what they told the residents of that neighborhood when that store closed. "

 DOC wrote on May 8, 2008 3:41 am:
" Okay Class. We come face to face with reality. The reality of business. I will guarantee if HyVee was making the big bucks on 48th, they would still be there. I don't have any idea what you would have done in early Nebraska. Why are towns in Nebraska about 6 or 7 miles apart? So that a farmer could get to a town with his wares, get what he needed and get back in time to do chores. Some of those little towns are gone now, but you get the idea. You will adjust. Life will go on without HyVee on 48th. You won't starve unless you choose too do so. "

 AD - take the bus blocks wrote on May 8, 2008 8:33 am:
" For those who don't drive there is a bus route, this city pays dearly for, that travels 48th Street - take the bus to the grocery store only 22 blocks away. "

 living green in the core wrote on May 8, 2008 9:28 am:
" When I have visited the Big City, New York, if you visited the neighborhood portion there were 2-3 grocery stores within any block area. Not the 22 blocks that you suggest are right down the street. My question is; why is Hy-Vee building one block from a Super-Saver. I live very close to Super-Saver and I will not be buying from Hy-Vee due to their departure from the University Place area. They were an anchor store and I truly believe that the neighborhood will decline. I was always hoping that Lowe’s would have put their store at 48th and Ost so wouldn’t have to mingle with the south side snobs. "

 Help out wrote on May 8, 2008 10:23 am:
" OK class, 22 blocks is only one way from the old HY-Vee store. Now multiply it by 2 for your round trip, add the distance from your house to the old Hy-Vee location and see if you want to hoof it carrying groceries home. I have a better idea, why don't those that comment that it's only 22 blocks offer to shop or provide transportation for those that don't have means to go 22 blocks. Be part of the community, not against it. "

 GMP wrote on May 8, 2008 10:24 am:
" At least Family Dollar stepped up and started carrying milk/bread, a few frozen items, and I found that a lot of their food is cheaper than HyVee. I never bought food there before, but have now. But everyone should look at the elderly, students, and those without trasportation. They are the ones it is affecting. Those with cars can drive the 22 blocks to buy groceries. Oh, and Kwik Shop has essestials also. "

 One question wrote on May 8, 2008 10:32 am:
" why don't we hear any complaints from people and students who live downtown? Which grocery stores would they go to? I find it funny some of the excuses people make for others complaining. I also find it funny there is a grocery store down the street they can take the bus to. I would like to know how many people actually walked to this store, don't get me wrong I know there are people who do. But compare it to 70th and Pioneers and the people who walk from the apartment complexes. So what about the people who will walk to the new location, should we just forget about them? "

 So one question...... wrote on May 8, 2008 10:35 am:
" What about the people who will be able to walk to the new location? Or is that a different part of town where people don't walk? Life is full of change, live with it. "

 Ive provided transportion - wrote on May 8, 2008 10:36 am:
" via my taxes supporting the city bus that travels 48th Street. Also, does everyone live North of the old Hy-Vee - maybe they live South of the old Hy-vee and it is actually LESS than 22 block to "O" Street. "

 John wrote on May 8, 2008 10:40 am:
" The Univ Place HyVee used to be a Safeway and next door was a Treasure City Discount Store (which was Lincoln's first discount store, International Super Store). I miss having the close discount store. "

 Are these people wrote on May 8, 2008 1:02 pm:
" incapable of stepping foot on a city bus that runs up 48th? What about all the people the new location will be close to do they not mean as much as the moaning people who live on N.48th? "

 Fen wrote on May 8, 2008 2:44 pm:
" Come on people, its just a grocery store. Go to a different one! "

 Mid wrote on May 8, 2008 2:53 pm:
" I think that all of the posters that are Uni Place residents whiners have either missed the point, or are ignorant of it. The issue was not that hyVee was leaving...the issue is that they were going to hold the lease option to keep any grocery store from moving in for 3 years. If their dicision was based on not making a profit as some suggest then I don't see why they would hold up another grocery chain from moving in. As for the fear of change, I actually long for the days when local grocery stores were in every neighborhood. Even though I am too young to remember, My Great Grandparents had a small grocery store in Lincoln and the pictures and stories of the community have always made me wish that I could return to that time. As someone who lives in the area, I must say that the neiborhood has retained a lot of the old values, imagine I actually know my neighbors and our kids play together and run in and out of the yards without worry. Whats wrong with wanting to keep some values intact??? "

 Chris wrote on May 8, 2008 4:03 pm:
" Mid, you may get your chance to see it. One positive of the skyrocketing gas prices is that people will have to get out of their cars and we may have neighborhoods again. That will be welcome!

If their are any student's reading the replies to this story, I would be interested to know what class this is for and if you used any case studies to identify impacts of a grocery store leaving an area. "

 The Hy-Vee wrote on May 8, 2008 4:04 pm:
" moves from one neighborhood (N.48th) to a new one (O and 48th). So inturn it is helping a new neighborhood. Get over it and move on, just like a lot of things in life. You continue to want to be in the past and that is where you will be left. "

 Chris wrote on May 8, 2008 8:12 pm:
" except that the neighborhood it is moving into already has a grocery store, soooo your argument falls flat. I'm pretty sure everyone commenting saying the neighborhood is overreacting lives in a suburb where every destination has to be driven to. They have no idea what the word "walkable" means. Nor do they understand what the terms "neighborhood" and "community" mean. Before you reply, remember that "neighborhood" is not the same thing as "subdivision". "

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