H-E-B Debuts Department Firsts at New Store
Texas grocer H-E-B is touting a couple of department firsts at its newest store in New Braunfels. Not only does the store feature the company’s first two-story True Texas BBQ restaurant, but it is also the first location to introduce the Home by H-E-B department.
This new store replaces an existing location in New Braunfels, which closed during the last week of April. The 122,000-square-feet store, which is situated on the same property on Walnut Ave., is about 40,000 square feet larger than the original.
“We are thrilled to bring a new H-E-B store to New Braunfels, which introduces our customers to some exciting features and departments that are firsts for our company,” said Julie Bedingfield, H-E-B’s public affairs manager.
The new Home by H-E-B department features two brands, Haven + Key and Texas Proud. Under the Haven + Key line, customers can find on-trend seasonal items from candles, mirrors and toss pillows, to kitchen textiles, rugs, throw blankets and accent furniture. The Texas Proud brand celebrates Texas style and features many similar items made by Texas-based artisans and businesses such as wood and antler art from Broken Antler in Converse, leather goods from Lucio Tailoring Co. in San Antonio, cowhide benches from Texas Bench Worx in Luling, and hand-poured candles from Rustic Swank in New Braunfels.
H-E-B plans to open more Home by H-E-B departments inside additional store locations throughout the year.
The first two-story True Texas BBQ, H-E-B’s barbecue restaurant that was named best barbecue chain in Texas by Texas Monthly and a top barbecue chain in the nation by Thrillist, touts indoor seating on both levels at the New Braunfels store.
Convenient shopping services at the new store include a larger H-E-B Curbside area with more spots and nearly 30 check stands featuring self-checkout registers.
Other department highlights include a Meal Simple department with options for chef-inspired meals for simple meal planning; Sushiya offering hand-made sushi made in-store daily; Healthy Living department featuring bulk items, sports nutrition and more; a bakery department with handmade artisan breads, cakes and Tortillería for fresh tortillas made in-house; Blooms floral department with certified floral designers; and a full-service H-E-B Pharmacy (drive-thru coming soon).
Additionally, the new store’s design elements also complement the look and feel of the surrounding neighborhood and the New Braunfels community. H-E-B operates three stores in the area.
“With an enhanced in-store experience and commitment to top-quality service and selection, this new store is tailored to serve the needs of this growing community and provide our customers with the best we have to offer,” said Bedingfield.
In celebration of the grand opening, H-E-B donated $10,000 each to McKenna Children’s Museum and Communities in Schools South Central Texas.
Meanwhile, H-E-B has been busy breaking ground for additional stores. The company recently began construction on a site in West Austin that used to be home to the locally beloved Nutty Brown Café & Amphitheatre. The 103,000-square-foot store will feature memorabilia and bricks from the original café and music venue and is expected to be complete in spring 2023. H-E-B also recently broke ground on a new 118,000-square-foot store in McKinney at the northeast corner of Custer Road and Eldorado Parkway. It's slated to open in late 2023.
With approximately 400 stores in Texas and Mexico, San Antonio-based H-E-B is No. 13 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2021 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.
