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H-E-B plans its first Irving, Texas, store

The grocer also launched its first marketing partnership with a college athlete

Heather Lalley, Managing editor

August 29, 2024

1 Min Read
Once open, the store is expected to employ about 700 people.H-E-B

H-E-B on Thursday said it plans to open its first grocery store in the fast-growing Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas.

The grocer purchased property in Irving, in the Las Colinas community, with plans to open a supermarket in late 2026.

The parcel, at Interstate 635 and Olympus Boulevard, is in front of a former Fry’s electronics store.

Once open, the store is expected to employ about 700 people.

Construction is expected to start later this year, H-E-B said.

The Irving location marks San Antonio, Texas-based H-E-B’s continued expansion in North Texas, which has been ongoing for more than two decades.

“Irving’s central location in the metroplex will also give area residents easy access to H-E-B,” Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer said in a statement.

H-E-B this week also announced its first name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with a college athlete. The partnership with University of Texas at Austin volleyball player Madisen “Madi” Skinner further highlights H-E-B’s “pride for Texas athletes and sports teams,” the grocer said.

In 2021, the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) debuted a new policy allowing student athletes to make money from their personal brands, much like professional athletes do.

Skinner will appear at H-E-B and UT-Austin events and will star in a series of commercials for the grocer that is slated to air across Texas.

Skinner holds three NCAA championships and ranks as the fifth-best player nationally in points per set.

“Growing up in Texas, H-E-B has always been a big part of my family’s life,” she said in a statement. “It has always been more than just a grocery store to us and I have lots of fond childhood memories. To be their first NIL partner and to represent female college athletes is an absolute honor.”

About the Author

Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Heather Lalley is the managing editor of Restaurant Business, Foodservice Director and CSP Daily news. She previously served as editor in chief of Winsight Grocery Business.

Before joining Winsight and Informa, Heather spent nearly a decade as a reporter for the daily newspaper in Spokane, Washington. She is the author of "The Chicago Homegrown Cookbook." She holds a journalism degree from Northwestern University and is a graduate of the two-year baking and pastry program at Washburne Culinary Institute in Chicago.

She is the mother of two and rarely passes up a chance to eat tater tots.

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