Burleson residents are one step closer to getting a fresh, new grocery store.

State and city officials and H-E-B management broke ground and mud on a rainy morning Monday at the San Antonio-based chain’s new location at 1484 S.W. Wilshire Blvd.

Suzanne Wade, president of the San Antonio division, said she is convinced the city will have a great H-E-B store.

“We are committed to giving you a fresh store,” she said.

Jeff Thomas, senior vice president and general manager of the central Texas region, said he knew that Burleson would be a terrific community to be in.

“We are striving to be part of the community that supports us,” he said.

Thomas, describing H-E-B as an innovative, on the edge company, said the 88,000 square foot store would be organized in a format new to customers.

“We don’t build two stores the same,” he said.

Features of the new store include a sushi department, a seafood department and a bakery, where most products are made from scratch every day.

There will also be a “Cooking Connection” department, where on-site chefs provide meal solutions to customers, Thomas said.

A deli with a wide variety of cheeses from all over the world will also be part of the store, he said.

Thomas said the store will also feature H-E-B brand and Central Brands products favored by customers.

A car wash and gas station are also planned.

Company officials announced that Eli Daniel, who previously managed the Hancock location in Austin, the highest volume store in the company, will be manager of the new location.

Daniel, an Abilene native, said this is a special occasion for Burleson.

“It is going to be a special store,” he said. “My team will be committed to bringing you a first class experience.”

Burleson Mayor Kenneth Shetter told H-E-B officials that Burleson will be a great place for their company.

“Today is a particularly great day in Burleson because we are getting that H-E-B that everybody wants that bad,” he said. “Burleson and H-E-B are going to be great partners.”

City officials said the store will bring 325 jobs and a $5 million payroll to the city.

Store management said the store is scheduled to be completed in time for opening in August.

A family company’s history

Charles and Florence Butt moved from Memphis, Tenn., to Kerrville with their three sons in 1905. Florence opened the C.C. Butt Grocery Store with an original investment of $60.

Howard, the youngest son, took over the business in 1919, after serving in World War I, expanding the company in 1924 with a new store in Junction.

Charles, Howard’s youngest son, became president of the H.E. Butt Grocery Company in 1971 and is chairman and CEO of H-E-B, which grew from sales of $250 million in 1971 to $11 billion in 2003, according to the company’s Web site.

H-E-B has more than 315 stores in Texas and 30 in Mexico with 75,000 employees which the company calls partners.

Last year, H-E-B officials announced an aggressive 2010 expansion plan including 14 new stores in Texas, a new distribution center in Temple, and five stores in Mexico.

The Burleson City Council unanimously approved an economic development agreement between the city and H-E-B officials at its Feb. 15 meeting.

 

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