Specialty coffee drinkers in the area will soon have a new place to go in town with the development of a Caribou Coffee kiosk at Albert Lea’s Hy-Vee.

Store director Al Weisert said construction is under way for the kiosk, which will create between eight and 10 jobs, including one full-time department manager and several part-time clerks.

“We’re excited to bring new jobs to Albert Lea,” Weisert said. “There’s a market for the special coffee drinkers that is not available in Albert Lea right now.”

He said the addition of Caribou Coffee comes as the store is going through renovations to freshen up its decor. The company was looking for something new to offer its customers in Albert Lea.

Weisert said the Albert Lea kiosk will include Caribou Coffee’s full line, including iced coffees, lattes, espressos and flavored coffees, among others.

It is slated to open April 7, pending no construction problems.

The kiosk will be located near the entry to the store on the right. He said Hy-Vee is also redesigning it’s entire cafeteria and food lineup, including renovations of the floors and walls.

Weisert noted that Hy-Vee has a partnership with Caribou Coffee, and it is also building a new coffee shop alongside the Hy-Vee gas station in Austin. The combined Caribou and convenience store in Austin will be the first like it in the country.

Caribou Coffee is headquartered in Minneapolis and can be found in 16 states across the country, along with several countries outside the United States.