Fareway Corporate Offices to move to Johnston

[Al_4_State]

Wow, that's surprising. Thank you for the correction.

I grew up in Ogden so we went to Boone all the time and my then fiance and I lived there for a couple years around 2001-2003 (she grew up there). Downtown is a bunch of closed or burnt down stores last time I was there (been a few years). There's been some expansion out by the new Walmart and Redekers locations, but otherwise it seems like every business has closed up (or did).

I remember thinking Boone was a dump when I lived in central Iowa, but I passed through there recently and it seemed cleaner than I recalled. A quick scan around Google street view makes it look like things are generally occupied and maintained.

I wouldn't say it's thriving by any stretch, but I've been to places that are clearly dying, and Boone isn't that either.

I don't know if my perspective changed after having visited other parts of the rural Midwest (specifically in Missouri, Indiana, and Oklahoma), or if it's actually improved.

 

[wxman1]

Fareway's been opening the meat-only stores in the KC area.

Would be nice if they opened one in CR. I have a few lots in mind that they should buy.

 

[AgronAlum]

Reynolds has been really good for Fareway. While it's sad they're leaving their home town, I still can appreciate that company. They know who they are and dont stray too far away from that compared to others.

(i still miss the shield tho)

He’s a good dude, too. I met and talked with him a decent amount back in my Fareway days when he only covered the region I was in.

 

[GMackey32]

He’s a good dude, too. I met and talked with him a decent amount back in my Fareway days when he only covered the region I was in.

Reynolds is a great guy

 

[cydsho]

They voted down a $10 million rec facility when Fareway offered up a $2 million match.

So the taxpayers were only on the hook for $8 million.

$2 million... free. Boone is not going to stumble into free money like that frequently.

I wonder if some residual frustration over that might be playing a part.

That's too bad. Small towns complain about being left behind or no one cares about them but when people vote down things that attract and more importantly KEEP people around, it only hurts them.
Anytime a small town loses jobs it's a hit. Having a corporate headquarters is huge no matter how small. Although I get why they will move.
I was from a small town and love the atmosphere but there is no way I could have a job like I ended with if I stayed. You need good jobs along the whole spectrum to have a thriving community.

 

[CYCLNST8]

Wild. The building they're moving into is my company's old office. I worked at that location for fifteen years.

My memory of Boone is playing their high school football teams back in the 90s. Bunch of jerks

 

[somecyguy]

I remember thinking Boone was a dump when I lived in central Iowa, but I passed through there recently and it seemed cleaner than I recalled. A quick scan around Google street view makes it look like things are generally occupied and maintained.

I wouldn't say it's thriving by any stretch, but I've been to places that are clearly dying, and Boone isn't that either.

I don't know if my perspective changed after having visited other parts of the rural Midwest (specifically in Missouri, Indiana, and Oklahoma), or if it's actually improved.

Being located so near Ames & Des Moines will sustain a certain level of population. There are a few smaller towns around Cedar Rapids that have little to offer other than they are cheaper to buy homes and the commute isn't too bad.

 

[AirWalke]

That's too bad. Small towns complain about being left behind or no one cares about them but when people vote down things that attract and more importantly KEEP people around, it only hurts them.
Anytime a small town loses jobs it's a hit. Having a corporate headquarters is huge no matter how small. Although I get why they will move.
I was from a small town and love the atmosphere but there is no way I could have a job like I ended with if I stayed. You need good jobs along the whole spectrum to have a thriving community.

Yeah, this is incredible that there’s a population of Boone cheering for the defeat of this referendum. The toxic attitudes of small town America will continue to doom them into oblivion.

 

[StClone]

Van Hemert's Dutch Bakery, Jimmy's BBQ, and there used to be an Asian/Chinese Diner in Boone. My wife likes the old spot better than the bakery in Ames. I love Jimmy's BBQ.

Fun to visit the town just for old times' sake. We try to get to Cyclone events a few days early and venture around to our old haunts. On game days too, a little travel can make for a nice drive and a good meal.

​

 

[IcSyU]

The best part of Boone is Honey Creek Golf Club.

 

[GMackey32]

What’s currently helping Boone’s population holding strong is Ames being super expensive to live. A lot of Iowa State employees live in Boone and commute everyday.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

What’s currently helping Boone’s population holding strong is Ames being super expensive to live. A lot of Iowa State employees live in Boone and commute everyday.

This who work “in” the office, right?

 

[NWICY]

Fareway's been opening the meat-only stores in the KC area.

Ames has one on the Westside. Meat and just a few items to go with it.

 

[NWICY]

Wow, that's surprising. Thank you for the correction.

I grew up in Ogden so we went to Boone all the time and my then fiance and I lived there for a couple years around 2001-2003 (she grew up there). Downtown is a bunch of closed or burnt down stores last time I was there (been a few years). There's been some expansion out by the new Walmart and Redekers locations, but otherwise it seems like every business has closed up (or did).

It's improved more than you remember it's not great but it is holding its own IMO. Fareway corporate moving will be a blow to it, can't blame fareway I'm sure real-estate was cheaper in Johnston buying used instead of building new.

 

[NWICY]

Would be nice if they opened one in CR. I have a few lots in mind that they should buy.

No Fareways in CR?

 

[KidSilverhair]

Ames has one on the Westside. Meat and just a few items to go with it.

And it’s right in front of the west Hy-Vee, which is top-level trolling.

 

[KidSilverhair]

No Fareways in CR?

There are Fareways here, but none of the meat-only specialty stores.

 

[BryceC]

Wow, that's surprising. Thank you for the correction.

I grew up in Ogden so we went to Boone all the time and my then fiance and I lived there for a couple years around 2001-2003 (she grew up there). Downtown is a bunch of closed or burnt down stores last time I was there (been a few years). There's been some expansion out by the new Walmart and Redekers locations, but otherwise it seems like every business has closed up (or did).

I grew up in Boone. It's basically the same as it always was, it's the town that time forgot. I will say I loved my graduating class and I had an awesome childhood there. There was always a revolving door of businesses downtown and stuff like that.

They voted down a $10 million rec facility when Fareway offered up a $2 million match.

So the taxpayers were only on the hook for $8 million.

$2 million... free. Boone is not going to stumble into free money like that frequently.

I wonder if some residual frustration over that might be playing a part.

I will say Boone is the cheapest dang town I've ever lived in. They vote down everything to do with money. When I was a student in the 90s they wanted to pass a bond to renovate the school which would total out to like 5.00/year for each resident in town and the people that opposed it talked about the bond referendum like people were going to come kick their door in and steal their jewelry.

 

[CycloneErik]

This who work “in” the office, right?

People work in offices?

 

[GMackey32]

And it’s right in front of the west Hy-Vee, which is top-level trolling.

Reynolds knew what he was doing when he did that lol.