San Antonio's grocery giant H-E-B is set to expand its empire, this time targeting college students and nearby residents at UTSA's main campus. The company confirmed plans to erect a new 116,760-square-foot store at 7330 N. Loop 1604, situated among a sea of construction for new housing and retail developments. According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, H-E-B has pinned down July 2024 for the construction kickoff, with doors expected to open by July 2025, at a cost of $20 million.
The location at the heart of a growing area on the Northwest Side is strategic - just a stone's throw from UTSA, across Babcock Road, adding convenience for students who currently trek to the nearest H-E-B spots at 12777 Interstate 10 or 9238 N. Loop 1604 West. The San Antonio-based company, with more than 430 stores in its portfolio, continues to solidify its foothold in the region, "The Shops at Babcock" as its latest anchor. According to a San Antonio Express-News report, Abiso Babcock LP, which owns crucial acres at Loop 1604 and Babcock, had teased a shopping center in past brochures, now coming to fruition with H-E-B at its core.
While the specifics of the store's offerings remain under wraps, enthusiasm buzzes through the UTSA community. Echoing the anticipation, UTSA voiced on X, formerly Twitter, "Those Meal Simples are getting closer! We're so excited to have a brand-new HEB planned so close to our Main Campus. It's a game-changer for our students, faculty, and staff!" This sentiment, initially reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
Apart from the UTSA-centric project, H-E-B shows no signs of slowing down its growth. The company is also underway with another sizeable venture at Lemon Creek Ranch, nestled along the I-10 corridor between San Antonio and Boerne. This new 106,000-square-foot store is on track to greet shoppers within the first quarter of this year, per Valcor Commercial Real Estate's announcement.
