Shopko to close in Mount Ayr
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
The Shopko Stores Operating Company, LLC has officially announced the Shopko Hometown store in Mount Ayr will close effective May 5.
Local store manager John Stieh confirmed the announcement but could provide no further details.
The Shopko company had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-January, but the closing of several stores and the sale of its pharmacy locations failed to offset its debt, estimated to be as high as $10 billion.
In a press release last week, a Shopko spokesman said:
“Through our conversations with the potential buyers, it has become clear that it is in our best interest to operate with a significantly smaller store footprint… We remain hopeful that we will be able to emerge as a stronger company, and we believe that this is the best course of action to make ourselves more attractive to potential buyers and successfully emerge from Chapter 11.”
In the past two weeks it was announced the Shopko pharmacy in Mount Ayr had been purchased by Hy-Vee.
Current pharmacy manager Steve Mitchell confirmed the change-over to the Hy-
Vee brand will take effect Monday, February 18. The pharmacy will retain all current staff. Mitchell said he will stay on as a part-time pharmacist, with Christie Hansen of Creston assuming duties as the new pharmacy manager.
According to a press release from Hy-Vee, in addition to traditional pharmacy services, Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations will feature free prescription delivery, automated refill ordering, immunization services, free blood pressure checks and private medication consultations. Hy-Vee pharmacies are also integrated into the free Hy-Vee mobile app for both iOS and Android devices for easy prescription management.
All impacted Shopko pharmacy patients will receive a letter from their new Hy-Vee Pharmacy with additional details, including prescription transfer dates.
As for the Shopko building itself, as of now no one has announced interest in purchasing or leasing the property.
