H-E-Buzz

H-E-B's surprise Austin airport pop-up moves on to other Texas cities

H-E-B says it will bring surprise Texas travelers with more holiday pop-ups.

New H-E-B stores seem to be getting bigger and bigger, but its newest locations are taking the opposite track. The beloved Texas grocery store surprised Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) holiday travelers on December 10 with a tiny vending machine pop-up offering free swag, but it's not the last chance Austinites have to snag the fun collectibles.

Delighted visitors in Austin were given a “H-E-B boarding pass,” redeemable for some of the store’s most coveted merch. Among the finds stocked were cushy concha slippers, Cafe Olé coffee, and the ever-popular flour tortilla blanket.

According to H-E-B’s Instagram reels, the company has not finished spreading holiday cheer. It says Lone Star travelers should be on the lookout for more airport pop-ups soon. H-E-B will be popping up at Texas' other major airports: finally, Austinites get a perk for being subjected to constant layovers. Next up is San Antonio International Airport on Friday, December 12.

Plus, homesick Texans who aren't lucky enough to stumble on a kiosk can always purchase swag like shopping cart ornaments, Creamy Creations puzzles, and mystery box keychains through the brand shop.

“No store does what? More!” wrote the airport in an Instagram post. “Our passengers were obsessed!”

Already cherished by Texans for its prized pre-made foods and its “Texas FEMA” efforts through its in-house disaster response team, H-E-B has become a viral sensation in 2025. In June, TikToker Anna the Colossal Titan racked up hundreds of thousands of views for a video showing her smuggling 200 H-E-B tortillas in her backpack.

In October, the grocer made more headlines by releasing a collection of heavy metal-themed t-shirts in collaboration with Nashville graphic artist Connor Dwyer. The limited drop of 1,000 shirts sold out in seconds.

San Antonio is not the only stop on the holiday pop-up tour. The H-E-B team will be at the following Texas airports, with the fun kicking off between 11:30 am to noon on the selected dates:

Friday, December 12: San Antonio International Airport
Sunday, December 14: Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Tuesday, December 16: Houston's William P. Hobby Airport
Thursday, December 18: Dallas Fort Worth Airport
Friday, December 19: Dallas Love Field Airport

travel pop-ups austin grocery stores h-e-b

GAME ON

Beer, food, and fun garden Bouldin Acres expands to far South Austin

Photo courtesy of Bouldin Acres

Bouldin Acres South Austin opened its doors in time for the holidays

Bouldin Acres officially opened its third Austin location on December 6, taking over the former Lustre Pearl South space at 10400 Menchaca Rd. and adding another anchor to the growing entertainment district along far South Menchaca.

The new outpost brings the same family-friendly food-and-fun formula found at the brand’s South Lamar and Braker Lane locations. The Menchaca venue features two bars, an outdoor pickleball court, two outdoor shuffleboard courts, an indoor pool table, and arcade games, along with plenty of indoor-outdoor seating.

Bouldin Acres South Austin Bouldin Acres adds plenty of screens and a bingo night for football Photo courtesy of Bouldin Acres

Friends Matt Carter and Matt Davis opened the first Bouldin Acres on South Lamar in early 2020 just ahead of the pandemic, when the team transformed a former auto sales lot into an expansive indoor-outdoor bar and gathering space. The space takes its name from the nearby Bouldin Creek neighborhood. The Menchaca opening reflects how the concept has grown since then, joining nearby destinations like Moontower Saloon and Armadillo Den as part of far South Austin’s evolving entertainment corridor.

Like its other locations, Bouldin Acres Menchaca is designed as a casual, all-day hangout with food trucks, a full-service bar, free WiFi, and TVs for watching sporting events. CM Smokehouse, led by pitmaster Cade Mercer and an old friend at Bouldin Acres, will be on site. It will also offer to-go orders. The dog-friendly patio, lawn games, and playground make it welcoming for groups and families, with the space remaining kid-friendly until 8 pm.

Selena Silvas, the event and marketing manager for the South Austin location, says the community response has been good and growing. The Menchaca location has already hit the ground running since opening, Monday Night Football bingo, a bike night, and holiday vendor fairs on Saturday. Upcoming social events are posted on the South Austin Bouldin Acres calendar.

openings food trucks beer pickleball lawn games families kids