H-E-B sets opening date for first multi-level Austin store at Lake Austin Boulevard

Come for the groceries, stay for the views. The new H-E-B will feature a two-story porch with views over Lake Austin.

Courtesy of H-E-B

In exciting news for Central and West Austinites, H-E-B's highly anticipated takeover of the corner lot at Exposition and Lake Austin boulevards finally has an opening date: February 15, 2023. And in exciting news for all Austinites, the store will be the first multi-level H-E-B in the city, with several exciting new features.

Located at 715 S. Exposition Blvd., H-E-B began construction on the site (formerly a Randalls) in 2019, but ran into several pandemic-related delays. The new store already looks to be worth the wait, with more than your average grocery store experience: namely, a porch with views over Lake Austin; two H-E-B restaurants (True Texas BBQ and SouthFlo Pizza); a full bar with indoor and outdoor seating; and a coffee shop.

For the redesign, H-E-B tapped San Antonio-based Lake Flato Architects, who also worked on the chain's Mueller Market. Renderings suggest design elements to complement the Tarrytown neighborhood, including vine-covered walls, natural light, pitched roofs, and textured materials like limestone, wood, D’Hanis brick, and metals.

True to H-E-B's ongoing commitment to sustainability, the design also implements several environmentally-friendly elements such as energy-efficient refrigeration with condensation capture for landscape irrigation, as well as rooftop solar panels and EV chargers to be installed soon after the store opens.

H-E-B's signature curbside and home delivery services will also be available at the new location, as well as a full-service pharmacy drive-thru. Structured underground parking will add to the store's convenience — not just by providing ample options for vehicles, but by creating a pedestrian- and bike-friendly perimeter.

As if H-E-B's quality products and service aren't enough of a draw, the store is shaping up to become a new community gathering place. Come for the groceries, stay for the views? Count us in.

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Refill, revere, rejoice

Austin distiller refills Kentucky Bourbon bottles for $1 in UT gameday stunt

Photo courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Still Austin is filling up empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles and adding its own label in a display of Texas dominance.

Cheap bourbon isn't usually something people line up for, but in this case they know it's good. Still Austin Whiskey Co., a favorite Austin distiller, is offering $1 refills of its own Cask Strength Bourbon on empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles on November 23.

The promotion celebrates the Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats football match the same day. This is a highly anticipated game because the two teams have only been matched up once, back in 1951. Kentucky coach Mike Stoops reportedly also upped the ante by saying the Longhorns have "no weaknesses."

Essentially, this is a parallel challenge by Still Austin: Replace your Kentucky Bourbon with our Texas spirit and watch the Lone Star State win again.

"Why would I ever taint your bourbon with dried up Kentucky juice[?]" asked a (frankly, terrifying) customer on Instagram.

There is a misconception that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association itself points out that, "According to the 1964 Congressional Resolution, in order to have “Bourbon” on the label it must be made in the United States of America and meet all other federal “standards of identity” for Bourbon."

Still Austin CEO and co-founder Chris Seals is setting the record straight with a little snark, inviting both fans and "skeptics" to stop by to take advantage of the deal.

“We’re deeply grateful to Kentucky for inventing the stuff, but after 200 years of the same old bourbon, people want something new,” said Seals in a press release.“The idea that great bourbon can only come from Kentucky is a myth based on decades of misinformation. We’re inviting everyone still holding onto this old guard notion to ‘Kentucky Fill Up’ to experience the difference for themselves.”

The product he's chosen to represent the brand, the Cask Strength Bourbon, is described as "a deeper more 'metal' version of our beloved straight bourbon." It's 116 proof (58 percent ABV) and has won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition twice, in 2022 and 2023.

Still Austin will only refill 500 bottles. Here are the rules: The bottles have to be 750 milliliters, clean, intact (with the original cap on hand), and they must have originally contained bourbon from a Kentucky Distillery. There are two time slots for refilling at 9 am and 11:30 am. Patrons can get tickets ahead of time at stillaustin.com.

In addition to the fill-ups, Still Austin will host a watch party starting at 2:30 pm. More Texas-Kentucky crossover will include Frozen Texas Julep cocktails, Texas fried chicken, and an armadillo derby race. There will also be exclusive merch and giveaways. Still Austin is the official corporate partner of Texas Athletics.

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Fans of Austin sports and Austin food and drinks can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm December 12 at Distribution Hall. Find out more about it here.

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