- A seafood department, expanded produce and dairy departments, and more space for existing products are what you can expect from the planned expansion of the HEB in Allandale Village. Leslie Locket, HEB’s Director of Public Affairs for this region, along with 3 other members of the project team, went over the expansion plans with the Allandale Neighborhood Association’s Executive Committee at last night’s EC meeting. HEB will be adding roughly 16,000 sf of space bringing the total size of the store to 68,000 sf. The expansion will enable HEB to broaden its product offerings, give the store a face lift, and provide more room for shoppers.
The expansion will take place on the south end of the store into the adjoining buildings formerly occupied by Kids n Kats, Jackson Hewitt, and Blockbuster Video. Blockbuster just relocated in the Allandale Village Center to the space formerly occupied by Washington Mutual. Other than making the existing handicapped parking spaces ADA compliant, there will be no changes to the outside of the store.
Construction will start January 4th and completed in September. The construction should not interfere with people’s shopping for 6 out of the 9 months as most of it will be taking place on the other side of the wall at the south end of the store. The work will be taking place during the week from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
HEB has been considering the expansion for a number of years and in negotiations with the Knight Properties, the property owner, for some time. Leslie said, they don’t anticipate a dramatic increase in new customers as a result of the expansion. The intent is get current shoppers to rely on the store for more of their shopping needs.
Here are some other bits of information that came out of the meeting. HEB currently has 14 stores in Austin. They will be moving the floral department closer to the front of the store. Expansion of the produce section will include more organic produce. There will be more deli space. Seafood sales at this store is strong which explains the addition of the seafood department. The fully-cooked line of foods will be extended. Aside from produce, the area that will be expanded the most is the dairy section. They need more space for existing products to cut down on the restocking pressures.There are no plans for additional checkout stations. More space will be given to non-food products such as seasonal and do-it-yourself items.
If you have questions or concerns about the expansion, you can contact Leslie Lockett at %20lockett.leslie [Email address: %20lockett.leslie #AT# heb.com - replace #AT# with @ ]. ANA President, Donna Beth McCormick, will be also be gathering feedback on the expansion, %20dbmc [Email address: %20dbmc #AT# texas.net - replace #AT# with @ ]. Donna invited Leslie back to December’s meeting.
I consider this welcome and long overdue news. Although the closest to us, this store has always been a last resort. This is due to a disappointing lack of cleanliness and the limited variety of items. Such a surprising contrast to most other HEBs in town. I look forward to our neighborhoods getting a store worthy of our energy and diversity.
I agree. Now if we could just get rid of the liberals.
Fat chance Bob. You’re livng in the wrong town.
Why does everything have to be about politics, grow up!
i am disappointed to hear that they are not planning to add any more check out stations. this heb always has frustratingly long lines – lines that back right up into the main aisle of shoppers trying to get through no less.
Don’t make it like the one on Research and Braker please. THAT STORE SUCKS! Also don’t make it like the one on Slaugther and Manchaca either.
Don’t change the grocery layout I don’t want to go across the other side of the store for Clorox and then for Meat and then sodas (that makes me buy more stuff online) You really need to spend your time and money knocking down the one on Research and Braker and rebuilding that one. I like the Allandale HEB as is of right now. IF I WANTED A BIG HEB, I WOULD SHOP AT HANCOCK OR FAR WEST THANK YOU VERY MUCH!