The 100,000-square-foot grocery is “completely unique” from any other H-E-B and tailored to the Lake Travis lifestyle, Mendoza said.
For starters, floral and home decor department Blooms is decked out with light fixtures (about $149-$260) and home goods. Village Artisan wares are offered—including jewelry, scarves, purses and soaps—with purchases providing help to struggling artisans around the world, according to its website.
Colorful floral varieties are available beneath the pergola at the front of the store.
“It truly feels like you are walking into a flower shop,” Mendoza said.
The store’s expansive produce section is highlighted by a fresh cut fruit and juice bar where patrons can see juices squeezed out of fruit behind a glass wall before being stocked on the shelves in its front case.
“When you are buying these cold pressed juices, you know an [H-E-B] partner just squeezed [the fruit],” Mendoza said. “H-E-B likes to buy local first and Texas first.”
Easy living
The Meal Simple station in the refrigerated aisle includes pre-made foods ($5-$9) packed in individual trays. Each entree is marked with nutritional information and, once the plastic lid is removed, is able to be cooked in about 20 minutes, depending on the food type.
“You literally pop it into the oven for 20 minutes and you’ve got a meal for $5,” said Matt Hughes, regional merchant of the grocer's deli food service department.
The Lakeway store features a Cooking Connection in which trained chefs provide cooking demonstrations and tastings with easy-to-fix recipes.
The exhibitors can recommend recipes to accompany any store product, Mendoza said.
The store delivers floral creations from its Blooms department and provides consultation and design for weddings and parties, she said.
Gourmet lifestyle
Lakeway’s H-E-B offers in-store, dry-aged beef as well as natural, organic bison and Kobe beef specialties, Regional Merchant for Market Mario Fernandez said. The Wimberley H-E-B is the only location that carries in-store, dry-aged beef, he said. The in-store dry-aging process takes a minimum of 21 days and up to 120 days to complete, with patrons able to reserve their cut in advance and watch the process over its duration, he said.
“You can put your name on it and watch it age,” Fernandez said of the clear glass case housing the meat.
The store carries more than 300 varieties of cheeses with many international selections, Hughes said. A fresh house-made mozzarella is available as well, and Hughes said he recommends sampling this cheese choice warmed in the store.
A large assortment of Cajun foods, 12-foot Mediterranean olive bar and a $14,000 wine sampling bar add to the upscale offerings. An aisle is devoted to gluten-free and vegan options.
“Truly Lakeway is getting the best of the best,” said Jerel Van Bibber, manager of merchandising in the beer and wine department.
