MADISON, Wis. -- Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke boldly said the recession was over one week ago, but some who are finding work aren't ready to agree.

A new Hy-Vee Grocery store opening on Madison's East Side is creating hundreds of jobs. There were more than 5,000 applicants for those positions, officials said.

"I feel like things are better. I mean, this store will employ a lot of people," said Becky Gobermann.

Gobermann is taking one of about 450 new jobs. In January, the pharmacist lost her job when Cub Foods closed on Verona Road.

"It was very difficult, very difficult. I had been with Cub since I graduated from college, so that was the only job I really knew," she said.

Gobermann said soon, she'll be back to work doing what she loves.

The same goes for Barb Reid.

"I was in the wholesale floral business for 20 years. It was a new company that I was able to start with. It closed, because of a lack of funds," said Reid, who will work in floral design at Hy-Vee.

After nine months, Reid is thrilled to be training for a new job, but she's still not ready to call the recession over.

"This is a very positive feeling for Madison for so many people. Although there's still so many people I know that are unable to find work and getting frustrated. It's not over yet," said Reid.

In a few weeks, the doors will open, and these workers will begin serving customers. They said they believe it's a step toward getting rid of the word "recession."

"I think we are still going to hear it, but I think this is a move in the right direction," said Gobermann.

"It's going to be exciting," said Reid.

Hy-Vee's store director estimates opening the location is a $20 million investment, and it should be open sometime late next month or early November. Due to the thousands of applicants, they're no longer accepting applications.

Hy-Vee could be opening a second Madison store in the near future, store officials said.

There are plans to open another store at the Westgate Mall location, but those plans are a work in progress. Store officials said they expect to open that location in late 2010.