San Antonio-based HEB had been looking into the Kyle area since 2002, and originally put 38 acres of Kyle land under contract in partnership with Austin-based Barshop & Oles Co. Inc. In 2006 Barshop & Oles and HEB switched gears and put the FM 1626 piece of land under contract, breaking ground on the new store last summer.

The Kyle store is tailored to city's community, says Leslie Lockett, director of public affairs for the Central Texas region for HEB. Because Kyle has a large number of young families settling into first homes, for instance, the new store sells furniture, pet supplies and features an expanded baby department.

The Kyle store is HEB's eighth HEB Plus, and ties with the Laredo HEB Plus as the retailer's largest store.