Houston Heights -area residents can now shop in their new 92,000-square-foot, multi-level H-E-B. The grocery store opened at 2300 N. Shepherd Drive and is just the second multi-level H-E-B in the Houston area.
“It’s been very exciting for all of us. We’ve really been focused on bringing the community a very unique store that speaks to the culture and the needs and desires of the Heights customers and community,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B group vice president of public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs.
Area residents have been “incredibly happy” about the arrival of the new store, Herron said, noting that a video posted recently by H-E-B promoting the opening garnered hundreds of positive responses and only one negative one.
A special Sip + Stroll event held at the store for the opening brought out members of H-E-B leadership and community influencers. Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B in Houston, said he had long “coveted” a store in the Heights and was thrilled about building new relationships in the area.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever been more excited about a store opening than this one because this one truly is a community effort because if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here right now,” he said. “This one took you all helping us pass the alcohol ordinance because without out that, we couldn’t have built. And what we promised was if you passed it, we would give you a store that you would be very proud of.”
The new ordinance allows the new store to sell beer and wine.
Herron said the multi-level store was designed to provide an extensive inventory on a relatively small property of just 3.5 acres. Parking is on the first level, and special escalators and elevators allow customers to get their shopping carts up and down from their vehicles.
In a special Heights touch, shoppers can marvel at 13 sweater-wearing chicken sculptures created by a local artist as they approach the second level. Also, large letters spell out “Heights” without the I because customers themselves create that letter, McClelland said.
Being active in the communities H-E-B serves is important to the San Antonio-based grocer. In recent months, the H-E-B Heights team has been out at events like Lights in the Heights, helping out with Kids’ Meals and providing meals at the Heights Manor Apartments.
H-E-B also presented two $5,000 checks to the animal shelter Friends for Life and to HITS Theatre, which provides arts education to Houston children.
“Really when I think about this, we’re here before in the community, and we’re going to be long after the store opens,” Herron said. “That’s what our commitment is all about.”
After months of effort by not only H-E-B but members of the Heights community, the new store was celebrated with toast before the Sip + Stroll guests went inside the store to explore.
“I’d say in the 28 years I’ve been with H-E-B, this is the first time that we’ve ever done an alcohol toast at a store opening,” McClelland said with a smile. “You’ve got to start somewhere, so let’s start in the Heights. This store wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for what’s in this glass. Here’s to a successful new store and here’s to the Heights. Drink up.”
Source: Chron.com