Central Market Eyes Smaller Sites

SN STAFF

DALLAS - H.E. Butt Grocery Co. is planning a 30,000-square-foot Central Market location here - about half the size of of its typical high-end stores, according to reports.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said H-E-B plans to open the store, which could be a prototype for future expansion in the area, early next year. It is located in a densely populated area near Southern Methodist University.

"I would estimate if the right locations were available for a smaller size footprint, I think we could find several more locations in the Metroplex in the primary area," Stephen Butt, senior vice president of Central Market, told the newspaper.

The article also said executives from the retailer visited New York City to observe how food stores operate in dense markets.

San Antonio-based H-E-B could not be reached for comment.