City postpones action on Casey's store proposal

(Photo by Russ Mitchell) Pending approval, Ankeny-based Casey's plans to replace the store along West 18th Street with an expanded convenience store closer to the Clay County Fairgrounds. The proposed new store would add a sub sandwich program, flavored coffees and would included a sit-down area. Re-platting is involved and the Spencer Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to review the matter Nov. 12. [Order this photo]

The Clay County Fair is selling the company a 200-by-200 foot lot on the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue West and West 18th Street to facilitate a newer and larger convenience store. Planning and Zoning Commission members have unresolved questions for Casey's project developers.

If plans remain on track, the overall project will result in a 3,700 square-foot store, which is about 1,000 square feet larger than a typical Casey's. The current Casey's store, farther west along West 18th Street, would then be closed. The Casey's store on South Grand Avenue will remain open, with no imminent plans for changes there.

"We'll have to see how this (planned) store does," said Bill Walljasper, chief financial officer for Casey's. "These stores are a little more expensive than an average store and we want to make sure, certainly, that it is going to work in a community, and at that location, before we decide to do any more work of that nature."

The project also required some consideration by the Board of Adjustment, which has already approved a setback for the property. The plans require Planning and Zoning Commission approval because the 200-by-200 piece has to fit into a larger plan the Clay County Fair might have for the area, according to Spencer Planning Director Kirby Schmidt.

"We review it for location and compatibility -- for what could be developed around it," he said.

The Planning and Zoning Board also takes utility extensions, to service the lot, into consideration as they review the Casey's subdivision plat proposal.

Pending eventual approval, Walljasper said construction isn't anticipated to begin until spring. The process of getting the building customer-ready will take about four months, with Iowa weather playing a factor in the time line. The city has to agree to the new subdivision in order for the Clay County Fair and Casey's officials to finish the sale.

Customers to a new Casey's would first notice slate floors, hard, corian-style countertops, cherry wood trim and brushed nickel sign displays.

"In addition to the aesthetic changes, there will also be several new product offerings that the new store will have," Walljasper said. "The made-to-order sub sandwich program will be in that new store. This is a made-from-scratch product similar to what we might see at Blimpies or Subways."

About 70 Casey's sites currently carry the sub offerings, which allows customers to choose their own breads, meats and toppings. Customers are also given the option of having the sandwich toasted.

"We have 1,500 locations and we're always looking for opportunities to replace stores that may have a little bit of age on them, or perhaps a location comes up that we think might be better suited to serve that community," Walljasper said. "We do have a new store design that we are trying to implement more and more into our nine-state marketing area. There's not any, currently, up in your area. This will be the first."

Walljasper said the success of the added sub sandwich and prepared-foods line will determine how many jobs may become available at the larger location. Normally, a store would have 10 to 12 employees. At least one associate would need to be added due to the new offerings.

Plans also call for a sit-down area for customers. Two tables would be available, with a central check-out counter nearby. An expanded coffee bar is another feature in the new store.

"It will offer a wide variety of flavor profiles of coffee, flavored syrups, flavored creamers, multihead cappuccino offerings," Walljasper said. "It will have iced coffee in there as well.

The new store would also feature more cooler doors. A traditional Casey's has nine; the proposed store near the fairgrounds will have 14 cooler doors.

"Certainly we think there's an opportunity to serve the community a little better with these new services at the new location," Walljasper said.

The preliminary plat for "Casey's First Addition" is expected to resurface at the Nov. 12 planning and zoning meeting.