Shopping

For families living on San Antonio’s far East Side, a new grocery store could mean one less lengthy drive for weekly groceries, a quick dinner pickup or a last-minute ingredient. H-E-B has officially opened its newest location at Interstate 10 East and Loop 1604, expanding grocery shopping options for residents in Converse, Seguin, La Vernia and other communities along the eastern edge of San Antonio.

The new H-E-B spans more than 125,000 square feet and brings together a full-service grocery store, an on-site True Texas BBQ restaurant, a drive-thru pharmacy and convenient grocery pickup and delivery services. It is a significant addition to an area where residential growth continues to bring new families and greater demand for everyday shopping options.

The excitement surrounding the opening was evident before the first customers even walked inside. According to H-E-B, more than 1,000 shoppers lined up outside the store ahead of its grand opening, eager to explore the new location.

For General Manager Will Tate, the opening carries a personal connection. Having grown up in the area, Tate now has an opportunity to serve the same community that helped shape his life.

“Our Partners and I want to ensure that this store meets the needs of this growing community,” Tate said. “Many of us are from this area, and it is important to us that our customers feel taken care of when they walk through our front doors.”

What Shoppers Can Expect at the New H-E-B on I-10 East and Loop 1604

The new San Antonio-area H-E-B offers the grocery departments and Texas-made products familiar to longtime customers, along with several features designed to make shopping and meal planning easier.

One of the store's highlights is its True Texas BBQ restaurant, which offers indoor seating and a drive-thru. The addition gives nearby residents another option for grabbing lunch, picking up dinner on the way home or enjoying barbecue without making a separate stop.

Inside the grocery store, shoppers will find a bakery preparing handmade artisan breads, cakes and warm tortillas daily. The Sushiya department offers freshly made sushi, along with an Asian grill serving rice bowls, teriyaki dishes and other selections.

For families looking to spend less time preparing meals, H-E-B Meal Simple provides chef-inspired dishes prepared fresh daily. The store also features Cooking Connection, where customers can watch live cooking demonstrations, sample recipes and find ideas for meals they can prepare at home.

Other grocery departments include an expanded deli with a wide cheese selection, fresh produce featuring organic and Texas-grown options, and a meat market offering Prime, natural and organic meats, Wagyu beef and fully cooked selections. The seafood department includes sustainably sourced options.

The store also carries an extensive craft beer and wine selection, complete with a sampling station. H-E-B identifies itself as the No. 1 beer and wine retailer in Texas.

Grocery Pickup, Home Delivery and Drive-Thru Pharmacy Add Convenience

For residents balancing work schedules, school activities and family responsibilities, some of the store's most useful features may be the ones that help save time.

The new H-E-B includes more than 30 dedicated Curbside parking spaces, allowing customers to order groceries online and pick them up without leaving their vehicles.

Home Delivery is also available, including H-E-B Now, which offers one-hour grocery delivery for $9.95. Delivery availability and service terms may vary by address and order.

The store's full-service pharmacy includes a drive-thru, providing another convenient option for residents picking up prescriptions.

Beyond groceries, customers will find several departments that make it possible to handle multiple errands during one shopping trip.

The Blooms floral department offers flowers and arrangements with online ordering and delivery services. Healthy Living carries bulk foods, sports nutrition products and supplements, while the Beauty department features cosmetics and personal care essentials.

Families can also shop expanded grocery and general merchandise selections, including dairy products, frozen foods, baby supplies and seasonal merchandise.

The Household Essentials department carries disposable plates, bowls, utensils and other supplies, including H-E-B's Texas Tough products and a value pack featuring assorted storage bags in one box.

Pet owners will find food, toys and treats, including products from H-E-B's Heritage Ranch line.

For homeowners and gardening enthusiasts, the Texas Backyard department offers live plants, pottery, soil and outdoor living products, providing another place to shop for landscaping and backyard projects.

H-E-B Plans Fuel Station, Convenience Store and Car Wash for Summer 2027

While the main grocery store is now open, another part of the development is still under construction.

H-E-B plans to open a convenience store with a 10-pump fuel station and car wash along the Loop 1604 frontage road. Construction was ongoing at the time of the grocery store's grand opening, with the additional facilities expected to open in summer 2027.

Once completed, the development will offer shoppers the option to combine grocery shopping, fueling up and other errands in one location.

The grocery store itself is already welcoming customers seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

New Store Design Reflects Texas Character and Energy Efficiency

H-E-B incorporated several architectural features intended to reflect the surrounding community and the retailer's Texas roots.

The building includes Texas limestone, horizontal stone accents and warm wood-tone metal paneling. Large windows bring natural light into the store, creating an open shopping environment.

The design also incorporates energy-efficient features, including carbon dioxide refrigeration systems and LED lighting.

These additions are part of the store's overall design, combining familiar Texas-inspired materials with modern retail infrastructure.

H-E-B Donates $40,000 to Local Education Foundations

The opening also brought financial support for schools serving families across the surrounding region.

Through its Spirit of Giving community investment philosophy, H-E-B contributed a total of $40,000 to four local education foundations, with each organization receiving $10,000.

The donations were distributed equally among the following organizations:

• Judson ISD Education Foundation: $10,000

• East Central ISD Education Foundation: $10,000

• Marion ISD Education Foundation: $10,000

• Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Education Foundation: $10,000

These foundations support educational opportunities and initiatives benefiting students and educators in their respective school districts.

For communities such as Converse, Schertz, Marion and the surrounding San Antonio area, the contributions connect the store's arrival with another important part of neighborhood life: local schools.

The donations also reflect H-E-B's longstanding practice of supporting education, hunger relief and other community needs throughout Texas.

A Texas Grocery Brand With Deep San Antonio Roots

For many Texans, H-E-B is more than a place to buy groceries. It is a familiar part of everyday routines, from picking up fresh tortillas for dinner to stocking the pantry before a busy school week.

The company's history dates to 1905, when Florence Butt opened a small grocery store in Kerrville, Texas. Her son, Howard E. Butt, later expanded the business, helping establish the grocery chain that generations of Texas families now recognize.

Headquartered in San Antonio, H-E-B has grown into one of the country's largest privately held grocery retailers while maintaining a strong presence across Texas and Mexico.

Its operations extend beyond traditional H-E-B grocery stores. The company also operates Central Market, known for specialty foods and gourmet selections, and Joe V's Smart Shop, a value-focused grocery format. In the Houston area, H-E-B operates Mi Tienda stores, which specialize in Hispanic grocery products and foods.

H-E-B also owns Favor Delivery, a Texas-based delivery service operating in communities throughout the state.

Despite the company's size, its individual stores often play a neighborhood role, serving as familiar gathering points where customers encounter friends, neighbors and employees they recognize.

That connection is particularly meaningful at the new I-10 East and Loop 1604 location, where the general manager and many employees have personal ties to the surrounding area.

What the New H-E-B Means for San Antonio's Growing East Side

The new store arrives as San Antonio's eastern communities continue to expand, with residential neighborhoods stretching farther beyond the city's established shopping corridors.

For residents of Converse, Seguin, La Vernia and nearby communities, the location provides another grocery shopping option along the I-10 East and Loop 1604 corridor. How convenient it is for individual households will depend on their location and usual travel routes.

The development also brings restaurant dining, pharmacy services, grocery delivery and specialty departments together in one place, with additional fuel and car wash services expected next year.

The new H-E-B is located at the intersection of Interstate 10 East and Loop 1604 in San Antonio and is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Spanning more than 125,000 square feet, the store offers a full-service grocery shopping experience with a True Texas BBQ restaurant featuring indoor seating and a drive-thru, along with a pharmacy that also provides drive-thru service. For customers who prefer to shop online, the location has more than 30 dedicated H-E-B Curbside parking spaces, as well as Home Delivery and H-E-B Now for faster grocery delivery.

Additional conveniences are on the way. H-E-B plans to open a convenience store, 10-pump fuel station and car wash along the Loop 1604 frontage road in summer 2027, giving residents another way to take care of multiple errands in one stop.

Customers can find additional information about grocery shopping, online ordering, delivery and store services through the official H-E-B website.

For longtime East Side residents and families who have recently made the area home, the new H-E-B represents another addition to the everyday conveniences available close to their communities. And with more amenities planned for 2027, the development is not quite finished growing.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more updates on new businesses, grocery stores, restaurants and community developments across San Antonio, Converse, Seguin, La Vernia and surrounding areas.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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