Stone Oak getting a distinctive H-E-B

Montrose Market – Houston

Locally-based grocer H-E-B put an end to rumors spreading across the Stone Oak area, confirming its plans to open a one-of-a-kind store in Stone Oak at Hardy Oak and Wilderness Oak.

Area residents have speculated that the supermarket chain will open a smaller version of its upscale Central Market on Broadway, frequently called the “Gucci-B,” in their neighborhood. Officially, however, H-E-B has said only that it will open a unique store there, and that it will resemble two of its more expensive locations in Austin and Houston.

H-E-B’s decision follows a continuing population and housing boom in the northern part of the city.

Between 2000 and 2010, the number of owner-occupied housing units in five Stone Oak area ZIP codes soared by 179 percent — far ahead of Bexar County’s 23 percent growth rate during that same decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of households grew by only 15 percent within San Antonio city limits.

Aside from housing growth, Stone Oak is known for its high property values, which is perhaps why early estimates of the new H-E-B store’s construction costs exceed $8 million.

Click to read entire article: Stone Oak getting a distinctive H-E-B (San Antonio Express-News, 4-16-13)