Mount Vernon Rd. Hy-Vee Drugstore to close

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Hy-Vee Drugstore on 2405 Mount Vernon Rd. SE in Cedar Rapids will close next month, company officials said Wednesday. Pharmacy services and other operations will be merged into the newly remodeled Hy-Vee food store down the street.

The drugstore will close on Oct. 26, and its 30 employees will move to the nearby Hy-Vee store, 4035 Mount Vernon Road SE, or one of the company's other Cedar Rapids stores.

The Mount Vernon Road store is undergoing a $12-million remodeling project that includes a larger HealthMarket as well as more pharmacy offerings and dietitian services.

'We have always tried to lead the way when it comes to advocating the health and wellness of our customers. With this merger, we can provide Cedar Rapids residents a better variety of pharmacy products, dietitian services and healthy food options all in a convenient one-stop shopping experience,” said Jay Marshall, executive vice president of operations for Hy-Vee's east region.

Though the food store is located only about 1.2 miles away, Hy-Vee officials say they understand the drugstore's closing will be an adjustment for some of its customers, especially those who are elderly or physically disabled and who walk to the store.

'We want to make this move as painless as possible for everyone involved - most importantly for our customers, but also our employees,” said Jamie Franck, assistant vice president of operations for Hy-Vee's northeast district.