The Des Moines QFC – located at 21815 Marine View Drive South – will be closing for good on May 25th, according to store Manager Tina Stunns. “This is related to a lease issue, so management has decided to close the store,” Stunns told The Waterland Blog Sunday (April 7). This QFC has been in business for at least 20 years. Stunns will learn more at a staff meeting on Monday, but added:

“All associates will be taken care of by QFC – they will be offered positions. QFC takes excellent care of its employees.
“This is awful that the heart of the city is losing a valuable service,” resident Beverly Walker said. “All the boaters that come to stock up for their trips out. Those looking for a nice lunch to take to beach park or the waterfront. All of our senior citizen that shop their will now have to travel further. I think the city should step in to help save this grocery store!” We are still researching this story, and will update as we learn more…
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8 replies on “Des Moines QFC is Closing; Last Day will be May 25”

  1. Are you kidding me?!? One of the reasons to live in downtown Des Moines is the ability to walk to stores. In the 70s the city govt tried to ban all gas stations in downtown. Then in the 80s it was one way streets on MVD and 7th Avenue. It’s a loooong walk to the top of the hill folks. Do you really want more people to try and navigate that stupid entrance to Safeway on 216th?

  2. Are you kidding me?!? One of the reasons to live in downtown Des Moines is the ability to walk to stores. In the 70s the city govt tried to ban all gas stations in downtown. Then in the 80s it was one way streets on MVD and 7th Avenue. It’s a loooong walk to the top of the hill folks. Do you really want more people to try and navigate that stupid entrance to Safeway on 216th?

  3. I urge everyone to email QFC Corp to voice their opinion. It isn’t just a lease issue. The refrigeration in the store is so old that it all needs replacing. QFC according to unnamed sources in the store………does not want to put the money into it. Their numbers are good and making a slight profit. This grocery store is vital to the infrastructure of Des Moines. As a 25 year Realtor, the last thing we need now is more vacant commercial buildings. It’s true that everyone is always so friendly and helpful. This store is needed in our community, for not only the great service they provide, the ease of shopping and the vibrancy of the city.

  4. I urge everyone to email QFC Corp to voice their opinion. It isn’t just a lease issue. The refrigeration in the store is so old that it all needs replacing. QFC according to unnamed sources in the store………does not want to put the money into it. Their numbers are good and making a slight profit. This grocery store is vital to the infrastructure of Des Moines. As a 25 year Realtor, the last thing we need now is more vacant commercial buildings. It’s true that everyone is always so friendly and helpful. This store is needed in our community, for not only the great service they provide, the ease of shopping and the vibrancy of the city.

  5. QFC’s response:
    Thank you for contacting QFC. Sadly, the very difficult decision has been made to close QFC Store 844. This location has been a grocery store for more than 50 years, both as a QFC and other grocery retailers. This year, QFC’s lease is expiring. The cost to keep such an aging store running, coupled with new competition coming less than a mile from the store, has led the company to make this tough decision. The store will close effective May 25, 2013.
    Sincerely,
    Lorelie
    Consumer Affairs

  6. QFC’s response:
    Thank you for contacting QFC. Sadly, the very difficult decision has been made to close QFC Store 844. This location has been a grocery store for more than 50 years, both as a QFC and other grocery retailers. This year, QFC’s lease is expiring. The cost to keep such an aging store running, coupled with new competition coming less than a mile from the store, has led the company to make this tough decision. The store will close effective May 25, 2013.
    Sincerely,
    Lorelie
    Consumer Affairs

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