CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Jim McVeigh spends most of his days in the same building where he operated a grocery store for more than 25 years, but his time lately has been spent preparing for the next tenant.
Save-A-Lot, 1625 J St. SW, closed in December 2024, and in the coming months, a new business will move in, as a Dollar Tree store prepares to open by June 1, 2025.
The national retailer was not previously named, but Dollar Tree recently posted a sign in the building, advertising they are hiring.
More: End of an era as grocery store closes
A sign for the forthcoming Dollar Tree is seen in the former Save-A-Lot on Feb. 25, 2025. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
One of the largest discount grocers in the United States, the Cedar Rapids store was the last of the Save-A-Lot groceries in Iowa.
McVeigh had tried to find another grocer to take over the business as he retired, with no luck.
He finally settled on Dollar Tree, which will offer an expanded grocery selection.
Formerly a Me Too store and SunMart, the Save-A-Lot opened at its J Street location in 1997, serving a Czech immigrant neighborhood that was accustomed to a grocery store on the block between 16th and 17th Avenue SW for more than a century.
The Dlask Bros. Grocery & Market, seen circa 1915, was located at the corner of J Street and 16th Avenue SW, not far from where the current store is located. Shown are John and Anna Dlask and Jack Rasplicka. (photo/courtesy Jim McVeigh)
In the early 1900s, the Dlask Bros. Grocery & Market served the neighborhood at the corner of J Street and 16th Avenue SW, where the sign for Save-A-Lot has more recently been located. The Me Too store opened in the 1960s.
McVeigh said former customers have been stopping by, as he recently removed light fixtures from the store. Most items, including a walk-in dairy cooler, freezers and other large fixtures, sold during an auction.
“I’ve definitely missed seeing them,” he said of his customers.
The Drop Inn Resale Store adjoins the former Save-A-Lot. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Erika White, store manager for the Drop Inn Resale Store, which has been in a portion of the Save-A-Lot building for more than 10 years, is eager for the new neighbor to open.
The nonprofit sells clothing, household items and more at 1625 J St. SW, Suite A.
Customer traffic in the Drop Inn has dropped off since the closing of Save-A-Lot, she said, “so I hope it picks up when the new store opens.”
See more: Final day and future plans for Cedar Rapids grocer
Looking forward to the new Dollar Tree store! I go down to the Drop Inn Resale Store at least once a week and almost always find something. I love to read and can get nice paperbacks for 25¢ each, thus saving many $$$$$ on my books. I also send out a LOT of greeting cards, so I save money by getting 25¢ cards there to send to family & friends. I’ve been missing Save A Lot since they closed.
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I too, am looking forward to the new Dollar Tree store opening. I shop at the Dollar Tree stores often and have been very impressed.
This new store with its expanded grocery section, will be a blessing to the neighborhood.