On July 18, H-E-B at the northeast corner of Bell and Whitestone boulevards held a grand reopening to celebrate the store's 25th anniversary and to unveil the store's $10 million, 5,200-square-foot expansion.

Additions include a larger pharmacy with a two-lane drive-thru, an exterior facelift of steel and glass, and more parking spaces, said Mark Hauerland, director of retail store operations.

The store's produce section now offers fresh guacamole and a juicery with 12 flavors as well as a nearby floral department. New display cases were added in the remodeled bakery, seafood market and cheese market in the back left corner of the store, he said.

Customers will also find a "healthy living" aisle with 1,500 items and a Texas Backyard department that offers home and garden supplies, Hauerland said.

"This store was the little engine that could for many, many years," he said. "Many of you shopped here when it first opened and there was a little bitty door right there by that restroom sign. As competitors have come in [and] new H-E-Bs [have] surrounded the area, we realized we really needed to do the right thing here and put some money into this store."

Store manager Rick Nevels welcomed employees and community supporters and thanked them for their support during the project which began in September 2013.

"I can't thank the organization enough for making this possible," Nevels said. "You deserve this remodel and we're very, very proud of what has been accomplished here."

Hauerland said the expansion added 25 more jobs to the Whitestone location.

As part of the 25th anniversary celebration, H-E-B also donated $25,000 to area organizations. The store presented five checks of $5,000 each to the Cedar Park Fire Department, the Cedar Park Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, the Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Department, the Leander ISD Special Education Services program, and Meals on Wheels and More based in Austin.

Cedar Park Mayor Matt Powell praised the store for staying open during the project.

"H-E-B is a valued, necessary part of the fabric of the city of Cedar Park, Texas," Powell said. "I couldn't be happier to congratulate all of you on your incredible new store."