The spirit of community, Texas pride, and a touch of H-E-B history filled the air Tuesday morning as company leaders, city officials, and residents gathered to break ground on San Marcos’ newest H-E-B store — a 114,000-square-foot supermarket coming to McCarty Lane.
“This McCarty Lane H-E-B has been a vision we’ve been working on for some time now,” said Cathy Harm, Senior Vice President for H-E-B Central Texas. “We are so proud to be here with you today to share this meaningful investment in the great city of San Marcos.”
The new store – H-E-B’s third location in San Marcos – will feature the latest in the company’s modern design, complete with an expansive product assortment, curbside and home delivery services, a multi-lane drive-thru pharmacy, full-service bakery and tortilla area, beer and wine department, and a dedicated “Healthy Living” section.
Harm said customers can expect freshly made tortillas, chef-inspired meal options through H-E-B Meal Simple, handmade sushi, and even an on-site H-E-B Fresh Bites convenience store featuring fuel, a car wash, and the city’s first H-E-B True Texas Barbecue restaurant.
“This store alone will create over 600 new job opportunities, contributing to the growth and prosperity of this beautiful, thriving city,” Harm said. “We’ve had the privilege of serving San Marcos for more than 70 years – and every one of those years has been an honor.”
H-E-B Public Affairs representative Heidi Anderson emceed the event, thanking the many elected officials, first responders, and community partners in attendance. “Our commitment to helping Texans runs deep,” Anderson said. “For 120 years, we’ve had the privilege of serving Texas communities, and that tradition of giving back continues here in San Marcos.”
In that spirit, H-E-B marked the groundbreaking with donations totaling $20,000 to local organizations:
Hays County Food Bank — $5,000
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment — $5,000
San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance — $5,000
San Marcos Education Foundation — $5,000
Anderson also announced H-E-B’s presenting sponsorship of the 2025 Christus Santa Rosa Gala, which will honor first responders next spring.
San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson praised H-E-B’s long-standing relationship with the community.
“The San Marcos community is so happy to see another H-E-B coming,” Hughson said. “When they say, ‘No store does more,’ they mean it. From supporting local food banks to stepping up during natural disasters, H-E-B has always been there for us.”
The groundbreaking ceremony, complete with a hot-air balloon backdrop and plenty of smiles, celebrated more than a new grocery store – it underscored H-E-B’s commitment to the people of San Marcos.
The McCarty Lane store is expected to open late next year, continuing the legacy of Florence Butt, who founded the company in 1905 with just $60 and a simple idea: to serve her neighbors with kindness and care.
“From Florence’s humble beginnings in Kerrville to this new chapter in San Marcos,” Harm said, “our mission remains the same – to serve Texans with dedication, exceptional service, and the warmest of H-E-B smiles.”