The goal in building the new structure is to “provide increased options for consumers, while continuing to offer an unmatched, full-service meat department; farm-fresh produce; low, competitive prices and the highest level of customer service that area residents have come to expect from Fareway,” according to a statement Fareway Stores Inc. released at the time the project was announced.

A festive grand opening was held June 28 to showcase the store and familiarize patrons with the expanded options now available to them.

“The new location has been highly anticipated by Fareway staff, community stakeholders and area residents, and we’re excited to continue to serve the citizens of Humboldt County,” said Fareway Chief Executive Officer Reynolds W. Cramer in a statement issued to mark the official launch of the store.

The management team of the new Humboldt Fareway remains the same as at the previous site. Jeremy Riesselman is the grocery manager. Don Goldsmith is market manager.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Jeremy Riesselman, store manager, takes some notes during a walkthrough at the new Fareway grocery store in Humboldt recently.

“We will be able to provide for increased shopping options in a fresh new space,” said Riesselman in a statement released by the company. “If a favorite product can’t be found in-store, please let us know, and we will try to make good on such requests.”

He said in an interview this week that the most significant change at the new venue is greater product selection.

“We’ve got a lot of new produce, frozen items, dairy items that we just didn’t have room in the old store to carry,” Riesselman said. “We’ve got a bigger organic selection that everybody’s awed about.”

Community leaders in Humboldt expressed delight about the decision of Fareway Stores to invest in the future of Humboldt, Dakota City and all of Humboldt County. They said it shows a recognition that the area’s economic future looks bright.

“We feel that moving from the downtown area out to their new location is not only a benefit to the community but for the county,” said Jenna Mulford, director of the Humboldt-Dakota City Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t just have people from Humboldt and Dakota City that shop at Fareway, we have people from around the county. I think it is a more convenient location for all of us.”

Mulford said the new store is good news for Humboldt County residents because it increases shopping options locally.

“The extra square footage gives them more space to carry items that they didn’t normally carry,” she said. “I feel this investment is evidence that Fareway has confidence in the community. We are constantly growing. We are expanding the downtown area. The industrial area is also expanding. It is a benefit to all of us that we are able to stay local and shop local.”

Humboldt County Development Director Alissa O’Connor echoed Mulford’s enthusiasm for the new store.

“We were excited by this project and helped Fareway with the site selection,” she said. “Any reinvestment of this size is a plus for the community. They have been a great corporate partner since 1970.”

Fareway Stores Inc. is a Midwest grocery company that is growing rapidly. The company currently has 117 store locations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. It opened its first store in 1938. Emily Toribio, a corporate outreach and communications coordinator at Fareway, said the new store in Humboldt is part of a companywide effort to freshen or replace old stores and make sure they are up to date to serve the public.

Riesselman has a welcoming message for patrons.

“They should come in and check it out,” he said. “We’ve got a great selection of items and friendly customer service.”