H-E-B opens stores in Houston area in Magnolia and Willis
H-E-B opens stores in Houston area in Magnolia and Willis

As H-E-B continues to expand across Texas, the retailer opened three stores on the same day, which includes locations in Plano and two in the Houston area.

H-E-B opens the doors of its newest locations in Willis and Magnolia today, Wednesday, November 2nd. The retailer welcomes its first-day customers with fanfare along with H-E-B’s newest and best products.

“Our Houston Region remains a vibrant priority for H-E-B, and we continue to make significant investments expanding our footprint to serve all of our neighbors,” said Armando Perez, Executive Vice President, H-E-B Houston.H-E-B opened its first store in Houston more than 20 years ago. Since then, we have expanded into communities from Lake Jackson to Huntsville and Katy to Beaumont. With the opening of the second store in Magnolia and our first to open in Willis we have grown to 93 locations creating more than 33,000 jobs.”

Montgomery County residents will enjoy exceptional shopping destinations with a pledge to deliver unsurpassed freshness and quality at affordable prices that H-E-B customers expect. Customers will also appreciate a dose of Texas hospitality and knowledgeable service that is second to none provided by more than 800 H-E-B Partners (employees) between the two stores.

H-E-B Willis

H-E-B Magnolia Place, located at 13663 FM 1488, features 112,000 square feet, 13 traditional check stands, eight self-checkouts and two flex check stands – similar to self-checkout but accommodates a larger item count. The second store to open in the Magnolia community is managed by John Beardsley, General Manager and his team that includes: Eric Bumbaugh, Center Store Leader; Carla Hannan, Perishable Leader; Michael Sullivan, Operation Leader; and Bruce Hutto, MIC, Area Community Coordinator Kitty Evangelista.

In the tradition of celebrating each community it serves, H-E-B presented the JoyRide Center, an organization that provides equine-assisted services through therapeutic riding, with $5,000 to support its services and programs. Additionally, the Magnolia Education Foundation received $5,000 for its important work supporting Magnolia ISD’s staff and students through educator grants, staff recognitions, and scholarships to qualifying seniors of district employees.

“Improving the lives of all Texans has been at the heart of H-E-B since it began selling groceries more than 117 years ago. It’s simply how we do business,” said Lisa Helfman, Sr. Director, H-E-B Public Affairs, Houston. “Our spirit of giving reflects our commitment to each and every community we serve.”

H-E-B Willis, located at 12350 I-45 N., anchors the new Market at Willis Shopping Center at the southeast corner of I-45 and FM 1097 and is the first H-E-B to open in this community. The new store features 112,000 square feet store features 15 traditional check stands, eight self-checkouts and  a new flex check stand – similar to self-checkout but accommodates a larger item count. The store is managed by Unit Leader James Anderson and his leadership team that includes Gerardo Gonzalez, Center Store Leader; Spencer Parish, Perishable Leader; and Kim Burgess, MIC (manager in charge), and community coordinator Shay Rodriguez.

H-E-B Magnolia Place

H-E-B Willis presented three community gifts to celebrate the grand opening. The Wildkat Resource Center received a pallet of Unilever wellness and beauty products and a gift card for $2,500. The Willis ISD culinary program received a $2,500 gift card to stock their pantry and inspire creativity in the kitchen. The Willis ISD Education Foundation and the TLC Foundation each received $5,000 and Willis ISD’s new Early Childhood Center, Roark, will be the new home to a mini H-E-B grocery store.

Whether it is an in-store experience, picking up an online order Curbside, home delivery, or grabbing a meal on the go, these newest H-E-Bs have it all. If you want to eat right away or want a fresh meal that is ready to cook or heat at home, serving up a great dish is deliciously easy with H-E-B Meal Simple, chef-inspired meals packed with flavor and ready to serve in minutes.

Across these expansive stores – from local produce to the fresh meat market, to the freezer section – shoppers will find more offerings for less, and unsurpassed freshness, quality, and variety.

Special features include:

  • Large Assortment of Texas-made products – from jams and sauces to chips and spreads – and we aren’t event counting the Texas-grown tomatoes, greens, and citrus
  • Fully stocked Healthy Living “2.0” department featuring 57 gravity bins filled with nuts, grains, dried fruits, and snack mixes, two nut grinders, and a honey pot
  • H-E-B Organics and H-E-B Select Ingredients, a line consisting of H-E-B brand products that excludes unwanted ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors
  • Made in-store palate quenchers, including fresh squeezed juices, and freshly made guacamole
  • Fresh Seafood Market equipped with a fresh assortment from around the world, delivered seven days a week including Gulf shrimp, Salmon Burgers, and Seafood Steaming/Boiling Service
  • NEW! Hot, ready to eat selections from our H-E-B Sushiya department!”
  • Fresh Meat Market offering natural, prime, and wagyu meat cut in-store by certified meat cutters, as well as 100% pure beef ground in-store daily
  • Full-service Scratch Bakery and Tortilleria that offers a wide selection of artisan breads baked fresh daily, fresh tortillas, large varieties of decadent desserts, pastries, and custom cakes
  • A Cheese Department that overflows with local and imported cheeses along with an assortment of large, entertainment cheese platters and boards
  • The Wine and Beer Selection features an expanded variety of wine and beer with a tasting station and H-E-B wine experts to help find the perfect pairing
  • A friendly pharmacy staff with household essentials and convenient drive-thru option for all of your pharmaceutical needs including easy-to-schedule Covid vaccines and boosters
  • H-E-B Blooms is ready to adorn any size gathering from intimate dinners to family celebrations, remembrances or simply for those just-because moments
  • Texas Backyard featuring pottery and ceramics, plants, and seasonal foliage, as well as grills and firepits
  • A full-service H-E-B Fuel station
  • H-E-B’s Curbside Pick-Up, a favorite of many, is designed to save customers time while offering all the products available in-store. Prefer home delivery? We have that covered too, with H-E-B Delivery and a Curbside Fleet for seamless delivery

H-E-B brings together a team of registered dietitians. This team, paired it with our healthy and fresh product options, offers full-time onsite and telehealth nutrition services to customers. 

 

The services include nutrition counseling and diagnostics testing, dietitian-led shopping support, and meal planning. Our dietitians can help with a variety of very specific conditions and dietary needs, including child nutrition education, diabetes, high blood pressure, weight loss, allergies, intolerances, and more. Most services are covered by insurance and H-E-B offers affordable cash payment options. Appointments for these services can be made by calling 855-481-1149 or logging onto www.heb.com/nutrition.

As H-E-B continues to expand across Texas, the retailer opened three stores on the same day, which includes locations in Plano and two in the Houston area.

H-E-B opens the doors of its newest locations in Willis and Magnolia today, Wednesday, November 2nd. The retailer welcomes its first-day customers with fanfare along with H-E-B’s newest and best products.

“Our Houston Region remains a vibrant priority for H-E-B, and we continue to make significant investments expanding our footprint to serve all of our neighbors,” said Armando Perez, Executive Vice President, H-E-B Houston.H-E-B opened its first store in Houston more than 20 years ago. Since then, we have expanded into communities from Lake Jackson to Huntsville and Katy to Beaumont. With the opening of the second store in Magnolia and our first to open in Willis we have grown to 93 locations creating more than 33,000 jobs.”

Montgomery County residents will enjoy exceptional shopping destinations with a pledge to deliver unsurpassed freshness and quality at affordable prices that H-E-B customers expect. Customers will also appreciate a dose of Texas hospitality and knowledgeable service that is second to none provided by more than 800 H-E-B Partners (employees) between the two stores.

H-E-B Willis

H-E-B Magnolia Place, located at 13663 FM 1488, features 112,000 square feet, 13 traditional check stands, eight self-checkouts and two flex check stands – similar to self-checkout but accommodates a larger item count. The second store to open in the Magnolia community is managed by John Beardsley, General Manager and his team that includes: Eric Bumbaugh, Center Store Leader; Carla Hannan, Perishable Leader; Michael Sullivan, Operation Leader; and Bruce Hutto, MIC, Area Community Coordinator Kitty Evangelista.

 

In the tradition of celebrating each community it serves, H-E-B presented the JoyRide Center, an organization that provides equine-assisted services through therapeutic riding, with $5,000 to support its services and programs. Additionally, the Magnolia Education Foundation received $5,000 for its important work supporting Magnolia ISD’s staff and students through educator grants, staff recognitions, and scholarships to qualifying seniors of district employees

“Improving the lives of all Texans has been at the heart of H-E-B since it began selling groceries more than 117 years ago. It’s simply how we do business,” said Lisa Helfman, Sr. Director, H-E-B Public Affairs, Houston. “Our spirit of giving reflects our commitment to each and every community we serve.”

H-E-B Willis, located at 12350 I-45 N., anchors the new Market at Willis Shopping Center at the southeast corner of I-45 and FM 1097 and is the first H-E-B to open in this community. The new store features 112,000 square feet store features 15 traditional check stands, eight self-checkouts and  a new flex check stand – similar to self-checkout but accommodates a larger item count. The store is managed by Unit Leader James Anderson and his leadership team that includes Gerardo Gonzalez, Center Store Leader; Spencer Parish, Perishable Leader; and Kim Burgess, MIC (manager in charge), and community coordinator Shay Rodriguez.

H-E-B Magnolia Place

H-E-B Willis presented three community gifts to celebrate the grand opening. The Wildkat Resource Center received a pallet of Unilever wellness and beauty products and a gift card for $2,500. The Willis ISD culinary program received a $2,500 gift card to stock their pantry and inspire creativity in the kitchen. The Willis ISD Education Foundation and the TLC Foundation each received $5,000 and Willis ISD’s new Early Childhood Center, Roark, will be the new home to a mini H-E-B grocery store.

Whether it is an in-store experience, picking up an online order Curbside, home delivery, or grabbing a meal on the go, these newest H-E-Bs have it all. If you want to eat right away or want a fresh meal that is ready to cook or heat at home, serving up a great dish is deliciously easy with H-E-B Meal Simple, chef-inspired meals packed with flavor and ready to serve in minutes.

Across these expansive stores – from local produce to the fresh meat market, to the freezer section – shoppers will find more offerings for less, and unsurpassed freshness, quality, and variety.

Special features include:

  • Large Assortment of Texas-made products – from jams and sauces to chips and spreads – and we aren’t event counting the Texas-grown tomatoes, greens, and citrus
  • Fully stocked Healthy Living “2.0” department featuring 57 gravity bins filled with nuts, grains, dried fruits, and snack mixes, two nut grinders, and a honey pot
  • H-E-B Organics and H-E-B Select Ingredients, a line consisting of H-E-B brand products that excludes unwanted ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors
  • Made in-store palate quenchers, including fresh squeezed juices, and freshly made guacamole
  • Fresh Seafood Market equipped with a fresh assortment from around the world, delivered seven days a week including Gulf shrimp, Salmon Burgers, and Seafood Steaming/Boiling Service
  • NEW! Hot, ready to eat selections from our H-E-B Sushiya department!”
  • Fresh Meat Market offering natural, prime, and wagyu meat cut in-store by certified meat cutters, as well as 100% pure beef ground in-store daily
  • Full-service Scratch Bakery and Tortilleria that offers a wide selection of artisan breads baked fresh daily, fresh tortillas, large varieties of decadent desserts, pastries, and custom cakes
  • A Cheese Department that overflows with local and imported cheeses along with an assortment of large, entertainment cheese platters and boards
  • The Wine and Beer Selection features an expanded variety of wine and beer with a tasting station and H-E-B wine experts to help find the perfect pairing
  • A friendly pharmacy staff with household essentials and convenient drive-thru option for all of your pharmaceutical needs including easy-to-schedule Covid vaccines and boosters
  • H-E-B Blooms is ready to adorn any size gathering from intimate dinners to family celebrations, remembrances or simply for those just-because moments
  • Texas Backyard featuring pottery and ceramics, plants, and seasonal foliage, as well as grills and firepits
  • A full-service H-E-B Fuel station
  • H-E-B’s Curbside Pick-Up, a favorite of many, is designed to save customers time while offering all the products available in-store. Prefer home delivery? We have that covered too, with H-E-B Delivery and a Curbside Fleet for seamless delivery

H-E-B brings together a team of registered dietitians. This team, paired it with our healthy and fresh product options, offers full-time onsite and telehealth nutrition services to customers. 

 

The services include nutrition counseling and diagnostics testing, dietitian-led shopping support, and meal planning. Our dietitians can help with a variety of very specific conditions and dietary needs, including child nutrition education, diabetes, high blood pressure, weight loss, allergies, intolerances, and more. Most services are covered by insurance and H-E-B offers affordable cash payment options. Appointments for these services can be made by calling 855-481-1149 or logging onto www.heb.com/nutrition.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 175,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

Media Gallery
Third Place Winner $10,000

My Drink Bomb

Product: Cocktail Mixers

Website: mydrinkbomb.com

Founded by Houston entrepreneur Chloe Di Leo, My Drink Bomb is the original handcrafted cocktail bomb that turns any glass into a ready-to-sip celebration. Just drop one into sparkling water or spirits, no mixing required. Proudly made in Texas and woman-owned, each drink bomb is crafted with natural ingredients like dried fruit and edible flowers. Fun, fast, and just a little fancy, My Drink Bomb makes cocktail hour pop – no bartender required.

Third Place Winner $10,000

Spicytude

Product: Spices

Website: spicytude.com

Spiceytude’s story begins where traditions are passed down and flavors come alive — the kitchen. Specifically, the kitchen of Arpi Neravetla’s grandmother. With a deep-rooted love of South Indian cooking and a craving for the flavors of her childhood, Arpi’s dream is to make flavorful Indian cooking easy and accessible for everyone with curated spice kits, step-by-step recipes, and video instructions. No guesswork, just bold flavor. Founded in the quiet days of 2020, Spicytude crafts small-batch, thoughtfully sourced spice blends that bring bold, authentic flavors to home kitchens across the country.

Second Place Winner $15,000

Deli Spice

Product: Birria Spice Mix

Website: delispicesmix.com

Born from Sully Villareal’s dream to share real Mexican food with the world (no shortcuts) Deli Spice’s Birria Spice Mix is made with realdried chiles and toasted spices. It’s a 3-step recipe: just add meat, water, and the mix — no cooking skills required. Every blend is tested byfamilies and perfected by a Mexican mom in Texas to help people cook authentic birria in under 30 minutes with restaurant-level flavor and reviving the Villareal family’s memories with every bite.

First Place Winner $25,000

Tozi Super Foods

Product: Totopos (tortilla chips) and Tortillas

Website: tozifoods.com

Proudly Mexicana-founded and family-led, Tozi Superfoods blends heritage with health in every bite. The Mexican American food and beverage company is inspired by the Aztec goddess of health. Founded by two sisters and their mother, Tozi blends six generations of tradition from their family ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, with the power of indigenous superfoods like blue corn, nopal, and amaranth – once a sacred staple of the Aztecs complete plant-based protein, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and cultural history. From tortillas to aguas frescas, every product is clean, nutrient-rich, and rooted in heritage – with wellness at the heart of it all.

Grand Prize Winner $50,000

Oca Foods

Product: Peanut Butter Bites and Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Bites

Website: ocafoods.com

After spending several years in the U.S., Renato Raposo found himself missing one of his favorite childhood snacks, Pacoca, a beloved Brazilian peanut treat. His connection with the snack deepened after the passing of his father in 2022 – it was a snack they loved and shared together. Unable to find a clean and simple version of this nostalgic treat, he created Oca Foods. By June 2024, he left a tech career to pursue Oca full-time, transforming this craving into a mission to share a wholesome, meaningful snack with the world.

Tozi Super Foods Tortillas and Tortilla Chips

Austin

Proudly Mexicana-founded and family-led, Tozi Superfoods blends heritage with health in every bite. The Mexican American food company is inspired by the Aztec goddess of health, Toci. Founded by two sisters and their mother, Tozi blends six generations of tradition from their family ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, with the power of indigenous superfoods like blue corn and amaranth – once a sacred staple of the Aztecs and a complete plant-based protein, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and cultural history. From tortillas to totopos, every product is clean, seed oil free, gluten free, nutrient-rich, and rooted in heritage – with wellness at the heart of it all. Tozi truly is “where heritage meets health”. 

Spicytude Spices

Dallas

Spicytude’s story begins where traditions are passed down and flavors come alive, the kitchen. Specifically, the kitchen of Arpi’s  grandmother. With a deep-rooted love of South Indian cooking and a craving for the flavors of her childhood, Arpi’s dream is to make flavorful Indian cooking easy and accessible for everyone with curated spice kits, step-by-step recipes, and video instructions. No guesswork, just bold flavor. Founded in the quiet days of 2020, Spicytude crafts small-batch, thoughtfully sourced spice blends that bring bold, authentic Indian flavors to home kitchens across the country.

Rigo’s Dairy
Latin-Style Cheese
 

Bryan (Houston Region)

With four generations of cheesemaking behind them, Rigo’s Dairy is bringing traditional yet bold Venezuelan flavor to Texas tables. Based in Bryan, this family-run cheese plant  uses 100% cow’s milk and sticks to the same time-tested methods brought from their native Venezuela – no artificial flavors or shortcuts  – crafting authentic Latin-style cheeses that blend generations of tradition with the hard work and family values that define the Lone Star State. The result is a selection of cheeses that are fresh, rich, and full of flavor you can taste in every bite.

Oca Foods Peanut Butter

Austin (Central Texas Region)

After spending several years in the U.S., Renato Raposo found himself missing one of his favorite childhood snacks, Pacoca [pah-SOK-ah], a beloved Brazilian peanut treat. His connection with the snack deepened after the passing of his father in 2022 – it was a snack they loved and shared together. Unable to find a clean and simple version of this nostalgic treat, he created OCA Foods. By June 2024, he left a tech career to pursue OCA full-time, transforming this craving into a mission to share a wholesome, meaningful snack with the world.

Long Phung Food Products
Vietnamese Meat Products

Houston

For more than 35 years and two generations, Long Phung has been serving up bold, delicious bites of Vietnam – one pork roll at a time. This Houston-based, family-owned brand is beloved for its ready-to-heat favorites made with quality ingredients and no artificial additives. Available in over 200 stores across North America, Long Phung makes it easy to bring a little taste of tradition and a lot of flavor to your table.

The Lavish Goat Bath Products

Sugarland (Houston Region)

The Lavish Goat crafts vibrant bath and body products designed to turn everyday routines into joyful rituals. What started in Candice and Sean Wheat’s kitchen during the pandemic has grown into a women-led, minority-owned manufacturer producing high-quality bath bombs and menthol-infused shower steamers. Known for their colorful designs and hidden prize surprises, The Lavish Goat combines artistry, aromatherapy, and community impact-all made in Texas with heart supporting the community through charitable efforts and internships for adults with Autism and Down Syndrome.

Klein Smokehaus Bacon 

Boerne (San Antonio Region)

Klein Smokehaus Oak Smoked Bacon is locally made and handcrafted on Boerne’s Hill Country Mile by native Texans the old-world way. This slow process and local oak creates bacon with a unique depth of aroma and flavor. Family owned and operated since 1950; Klein Smokehaus has deep roots in the Texas Hill Country. A nod to this German heritage and tradition, Klein’s specialty meat products are a true taste of history.

Jam-In Tools Crawfish Peeler

Dickinson (Houston Region)

JAM-IN Crawfish Tool, started as a simple idea to take the hassle out of crawfish boils. It has grown into a homegrown gadget that keeps the tradition of crawfish boils fun and accessible for all, with a product that’s tough, practical, and Texas through and through. From first timers to seasoned pros,   peeling crawfish can be quick, easy, and nail friendly. Proudly based in Dickinson, founder Joann Meguess works with local partners to build and package each tool right here in Texas.

Deli Spice Cooking Spices 

McAllen (Border Region)

Born from Sully Villareal’s dream to share real Mexican food with the world (no shortcuts) Deli Spices’ Birria Spice Mix is made withreal dried chiles and toasted spices. It’s a 3-step recipe: just add meat, water, and the mix — no cooking skills required. Everyblend is tested by families and perfected by a Mexican mom in Texas to help people cook authentic birria in under 30 minutes withrestaurant-level flavor and reviving the Villareal family’s memories with every bite.