Weldon: H-E-B looking to expand in Stephenville

By RUSSELL HUFFMAN
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (April 21, 2016) –Thursday Mayor Kenny Weldon confirmed that officials with H-E-B have been in contact with the city of Stephenville regarding a new store and other reports indicate a property has been targeted by the grocery chain.

Various rumors and “confirmed” reports on social media have had the grocery store coming to Stephenville for months. Stephenville’s H-E-B fans have even gone so far as to create a Facebook page dedicated toward getting a bigger store. Until Thursday, no official source would confirmed H-E-B was looking at upgrading their store.

Stephenville Mayor Kenny Weldon confirmed Thursday that H-E-B grocery is looking at expanding in Stephenville. — Stephenville Mayor Kenny Weldon confirmed Thursday H-E-B grocery is looking at expanding in Stephenville.

“Yes, I can confirm that H-E-B has contacted the city about building another store,” Weldon said. “I believe they are looking at a certain piece of property here in town.”

Weldon alluded to a grocery store during remarks he made about economic development at today’s Cross Timber Republican Women’s Club luncheon. The luncheon featured a presentation of candidates for the Stephenville City Council.

Several weeks ago The Flash Today quizzed Stephenville City Administrator Pat Bridges regarding H-E-B, and was told Bridges was “not prepared to discuss that matter at this time.”

Following his remarks to the public, Weldon was pressed further on the question of H-E-B exploring Stephenville and confirmed the grocery has indeed been in contact with the city. Weldon declined further comment regarding H-E-B, but did express his pleasure with another sign of economic development in Stephenville.

“We are currently evaluating our Stephenville location and we remain dedicated to meeting the desires of our customers and remain committed to them (customers),” Leslie Sweet director of H-E-B’s public affair said. “At this time it is too early to speculate if there is a final plan.”

Sweet did confirm H-E-B’s process for establishing a new store was a long one and that Stephenville had been evaluated for some time now. The Flash Today is aware of at least one targeted property, but the real estate agent associated with the land was not prepared to make comment and cited confidentiality concerns.