I worked in a grocery store for many years so I felt a real urgency to visit the much anticipated HyVee in Downtown Des Moines on opening day, February 26, 2017. I arrived at 9AM and the store was already packed with shoppers, lookers and eaters. Let's elbow our way through the crowd and see what's going on that makes this place so special. This beautiful $10 million store located at 420 Court Ave. has been a subject of conversation and controversy for several years. Now it is here and I think it will be a real asset to people living and working in the downtown area.

You step through the front door and bang--you are hit with an array of restaurant style food choices arranged and displayed to make you think lunch. This is the explanation for my title. HyVee chose to give this new store a very appropriate nickname, "grocerant".

Remember--we are downtown and convenience seems to be the name of the game. There is a huge amount of prepared meals and foods. Grab and go!!

I almost forgot to tell you---look around---there are fix it yourself groceries, too. This completes the story--a grocery store and restaurants--yes it is a "grocerant."

For you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. (ESV) (Deuteronomy 8:10)