COAL VALLEY — An Iowa grocer plans to open a new location in Coal Valley, bringing a happy end to years of community leaders’ persistent efforts to bring a grocery store back to the village.
Fareway Stores, Inc. on Friday announced plans to construct a roughly 17,000-square-foot store at the southeast corner of 1st Street and Route 6. This project is tentatively planned for 2026.
Mayor Mike Bartels called the news a “significant milestone” for the community of roughly 3,900 residents.
“Beyond fulfilling our need for a grocery store, Fareway’s presence has the potential to stimulate economic growth by generating jobs, supporting local businesses, and fostering further development in the area,” he said in a statement.
The village’s last grocery store, Jack & Jill, closed in 2008.
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The new store will offer fresh produce and a full-service butcher counter, the company said. The store will also offer a self-service checkout option, as well as online shopping and curbside pickup.
“Communities depend on a local grocer to offer high quality products and unmatched service,” said Reynolds W. Cramer, Fareway CEO, in a statement. “We look forward to offering these qualities to Coal Valley and area residents with a new Fareway store.”
A family-owned business, Fareway has its headquarters in Boone, Iowa, and over 130 stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota.
Davenport Express store among 95 set to close
DAVENPORT — The Express Factory Outlet store at NorthPark Mall is among 95 locations set to close as a result of the company’s recent bankruptcy filing, according to court documents.
Once a trendsetter of casual office attire, Express Inc. has struggled in recent years to compete with the likes of Zara and H&M. The company reported $1.2 billion in total debts and $1.3 billion in total assets as of March 2 in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, which was filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
Also on Monday, Express announced that it received a non-binding letter of intent from a group led by consumer brand acquisition and management firm WHP Global to potentially purchase the majority of its stores and operations. Express said that it had filed for Chapter 11 protection “to facilitate the sale process.”
Sales started last week at the closing locations. In addition to the Davenport store, 320 W. Kimberly Rd., Iowa is set to say goodbye to stores in Cedar Rapids and Williamsburg.
New McDonald’s construction in Moline underway
MOLINE — The McDonald’s at 1800 36th Ave. is getting more than a makeover.
As the only McDonald’s in the area that has not undergone a remodel, this location is slated to sunset after construction is complete on a new store down the road.
Ground broke earlier this month on the new location, near the Kohl’s at 43rd Avenue and Seventh Street.
Manager Madysen Freyberger said the existing building is 43 years old. The new location will not have a PlayPlace and will have just 10 dining room tables. All of the current staff will be transferred to the new spot.
Freyberger estimated the new location would be completed around the end of summer.
The Associated Press and Allison Petty contributed.
