H-E-B News

How H-E-B plans to turn a former landfill in Buda into a grocery store

H-E-B is still in the very early stages of developing the Buda site.

Photo courtesy of KVUE

A former landfill in Buda could soon be transformed into a major retail destination, anchored by a new H-E-B store, as city leaders work to keep pace with rapid growth along the Interstate 35 corridor.

The proposed site sits just north of Main Street along I-35 South — across from the city’s existing H-E-B, which residents say is often overcrowded.

“There's never any parking if you go after 6:00,” said Krysti Wood, owner of downtown businesses Posie and KD Premier Home Solutions.

A growing city, a growing demand

The new store is expected to be significantly larger than the current location, which was built in the early 2000s. City officials say the expansion reflects Buda’s population boom and increasing demand for retail options.

Wood said she welcomes the project, calling it a needed addition for the community.

“I think it's a great thing. It brings lots of jobs to the area,” Wood said. “There’s tons of people moving into the area … It’s going to be an asset to us.”

The new H-E-B will anchor a larger retail hub planned for the site — but building on a former landfill comes with challenges.

Building on a former landfill

Buda City Manager Micah Grau said the project will require extensive groundwork to ensure safety and stability.

“What H-E-B is planning to do is to excavate out the portion that's underneath the building and build that up completely stable,” Grau explained.

Luke Metzger, the executive director of Environment Texas, said developing on a former landfill that does not include industrial waste is safe if regulations are followed. He said using disturbed properties like this one helps with land development in the growing Central Texas region. He expects crews to test the landfill during excavation and to be weary of hazardous materials that could impact groundwater.

Repurposing a landfill adds complexity and cost to the project.

That cost is reflected in a $20.1 million incentive package approved by the city of Buda and Hays County agencies over 30 years — a figure higher than typical retail incentives.

“This is a larger package than you would typically see for a grocery store,” Grau said. “That is because of the landfill component of it. So we are viewing this as an environmental mitigation-type project.”

Read the full story at our news partner KVUE.com.

h-e-b grocery grocery stores buda

How the Stiles Have Turned

Team behind Hold Out Brewing takes over North Austin neighborhood bar

Photo courtesy of Turnstile

Turnstile has new ownership, but not much is changing for now.

The team behind two popular Austin beer spots — Hold Out Brewing and Better Half Bar — is stewarding a third into a new era. They're taking over Turnstile at 10025 Burnet Rd., but they say fans shouldn't worry: not much is changing right away.

A press release says that "at least for now," Turnstile will still look the same, feel the same, and pour the same worldly beers with some new additions from Hold Out on tap. Even Turnstile's original owner, Mark Harris, will remain involved as the operations manager. That means his picks will still shape the on-tap lineup.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to carry on what Turnstile has created over the past six years and really grow the business," said Harris in the release. "There is a lot of synergy between the brands, from a product offering and aesthetic perspective, that this deal just made sense."

Turnstile already offers cocktails, pastries, breakfast tacos, bar snacks, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads. In addition to new beers on tap, the bar will now serve coffee and Better Half pastries, and offer expanded food service so certain dishes aren't limited to specific hours.

According to Hold Out and Better Half partner Mark Stowe, the reason for the ownership change was that Turnstile needed new expertise to make it to "the next level." His existing team of partners also includes Brent 'Schmitty' Sapstead and Matt Wright.

"We've been fans of Turnstile since it opened in 2020," said Stowe, "and this is a great opportunity for Hold Out to expand its brand presence and sell more beer in North Austin while gaining efficiencies from an incredible team, including Head Brewer Hayden Winkler, Executive Chef Justin Rupp, and Pastry Chef Jammie Tijerina."

Hold Out and Better Half are known for quality food and laid-back atmospheres, so if more changes down the line for Turnstile, the transition should feel natural.

breweries bars cocktails beer pastries