Now open: Planet Fitness in Cedar Rapids, Kwik Star in Iowa City

Despite ongoing concerns over inflation, the omicron variant of the coronavirus and labor shortages, retail nationwide saw a strong October.

The National Retail Federation, citing U.S. Census Bureau figures, reported overall retail sales for that month rose 1.7 percent — seasonally adjusted from September — and up 16.3 percent year over year. Retail sales grew year over year every month since June 2020, the federation says.

And in the Corridor, both Hampton, N.H.-based fitness chain Planet Fitness and La Crosse, Wisc.’s Kwik Trip — which is branded as Kwik Star in Iowa and Illinois — opened new venues in the Corridor in the past few weeks.

Planet Fitness debuted its second center, in Lindale Mall, on Collins Road NE in Cedar Rapids, on Nov. 7. Kwik Star’s latest store, at 1907 Keokuk St., Iowa City, opened its doors on Thursday.

This past week, however, West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee announced it will close or repurpose four grocery stores, including its location on Collins Road NE in Cedar Rapids, adjacent to Lindale Mall, next month.