First impressions: Crowds give big thumbs up to new Wolf Lakes Village H-E-B

The shiny new H-E-B and its parking lot were filled Wednesday, June 7, when the company opened its long-awaited Georgetown store in Wolf Lakes Village.

In a festive atmosphere with strolling mariachis, eager shoppers filled their baskets, snacked on samples and feasted on barbecue. Two even bought $6,000 bottles of wine to mark the occasion.

Shopper Cassidy Ochs summed up the experience.

“I’ve lived here my whole life,” she said. “This is incredible.”

After a VIP-packed ribbon-cutting and confetti drop on Tuesday, manager — or Top Store Leader in H-E-B parlance — Kenny Scott marshaled the store’s 600+ employees to be ready for the next day’s crowd.

By the 6 a.m. opening on Wednesday, shoppers were there, the line stretching across the store’s expansive front and around the corner. They were ready to check out the store Georgetown has been waiting for since its construction was announced in 2021 and groundbreaking held in 2022.

“It’s fun to be here on the first day,” shopper Kaitlyn Warner said. “We wanted to compare the store with the old H-E-B and see what different things are available.”

Project was ‘a long, steep, winding road’

The new H-E-B grocery store is an anchor for Wolf Lakes Village, a 164-acre master planned mixed-use “European village” comprised of commercial, office, medical, retail, hotels, entertainment and residential development located north of University Avenue and west of Interstate 35.

Iva Wolf McLachlan, president of Wolf Lakes LP, said she is extremely proud and happy with H-E-B jumping on board in the first phase of the project.

She called the Wolf Lakes Village development a “steep climb up a narrow winding road” to arrive at this providential moment in time — opening a new, “stunningly beautiful H-E-B grocery store.”

“H-E-B is one of the best grocers and corporate citizens in the country,” Ms. McLachlan said.

She also worked with Simon Property Group to develop the 100-acre Wolf Ranch Town Center, a 670,000-square-foot retail development across University Avenue. Iva and her husband, Donald McLachlan, worked with the Perot Company to develop the 1,120-acre Wolf Ranch Hillwood master planned residential community. It will include 2,600 single family homes at full build-out, more than 1,200 apartment units, Wolf Ranch Elementary School and commercial users. The project includes two amenity centers and more than eight miles of hike and bike trails.

Community anticipates new shopping era

Since construction was announced in 2021 and the store’s groundbreaking in 2022, area residents have been patiently keeping an eye on construction and anticipating shopping there.

At 121,000 square-feet, the new H-E-B is double the size of the 34-year-old building it’s replacing just across I-35. Company officials said in 2021 they plan to sell the old store site. For now, though, it’s used as parking for the new store’s employees who are being shuttled to Wolf Lakes. That means the new parking lot on opening day was filled exclusively by customers.

Despite having to hunt for parking, shoppers were upbeat about checking out the new store and marveling at its product selection and organization.

“It’s an amazing store,” said Jarrell resident Stacy Recio, shopping the deli with her children, Alek and Azaliyah. Ms. Recio was preparing for a gender-reveal party for her third child, who is expected this fall.

“It’s really nice, and I like having a restaurant in the store,” Teresa Ashley said about the True Texas BBQ, a two-story dining offering.

Joining Ms. Ashley, “Grammy,” in checking out the new store was her daughter-in law Gretchen Gardinier and Gretchen’s sister, Gina Rogers.

“The selection is incredible and the aisles are so big,” Sara Fusco said while checking out the beer selection with Cassidy Ochs.

Brett Harris and his wife Kaitlyn, with baby Aris in a wrap, pronounced the store very organized.

“We’re learning where everything is — and today we’re shopping for snacks,” he said.

New store features

Alongside the product selection at the new Wolf Lakes Village store, H-E-B touts a range of services and amenities available to customers:

• Curbside and home delivery, allowing customers to shop online and pick up orders at the store or schedule delivery to their homes.
• A pharmacy with a two-lane drive-thru, patient education and nutritional services.
• A full-service bakery and tortilleria with artisan breads, fresh tortillas made in house, pastries, cakes and other desserts.
• A deli featuring an assortment of cheese and charcuterie.
• A “Meal Simple” section of ready-to-cook foods.
• A wine and beer department with sampling stations and a variety of local, national and international labels.
• A selection of organic foods and an expanded healthy living department.
• A floral area with personalized customer arrangements and decor items.
• A full-service meat market and seafood counter.
• Handmade sushi selections made in-store daily.
• A gas station and car wash. 

The store is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.