Austin, TX

H-E-B opens reimagined store at historic South Congress location in Austin

Published

1 year ago

December 4, 2024

H-E-B opens reimagined store at historic South Congress location in Austin

The day has finally come. After more than two years of construction, H-E-B’s reimagined South Congress store in Austin has opened its doors to customers.

Crowds lined up in the rain before daybreak Wednesday to be among the first shoppers to get a glimpse of the 145,000-square-foot multi-level store when it opened at 6 a.m. CT. The completely new store, located at 2400 S. Congress Ave., more than doubles the size of the store it replaced, which was the grocery chain’s longest-standing Austin location.

Hook ‘Em entertains shoppers lined up to see the new South Congress H-E-B in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 4, 2024.Courtesy H-E-B

“After more than six decades of serving the South Congress and Oltorf communities, we are proud to offer our loyal customers a brand-new store filled with H-E-B favorites along with new amenities and features tailored to the area,” said Cathy Harm, H-E-B senior vice president of the Central Texas region. “This is an iconic location, and this project reflects our commitment to preserving the heart of our long-time store while creating a meaningful space that will better serve the community for years to come.”

The new store, which is open daily from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. CT, includes a ground level with indoor and outdoor dining areas, a second level for shopping, three levels of above-ground parking with more than 500 spaces, and a True Texas BBQ restaurant.

Additional amenities include Curbside and Home Delivery services, a full-service pharmacy with drive-thru, a bakery with store-made tortillas, an expanded beer and wine selection, a Flower Bar with seasonal bouquets and arrangements, a Sushiya department with store-made sushi and poke bowls, and a Meal Simple section with fresh chef-inspired meals prepared in store.

Sculpture of cowboy riding barbecue smoker outside new H-E-B South Congress store — H-E-B commissioned several art installations throughout its new South Congress store in Austin, Texas.Courtesy H-E-B

The store also combines smart lighting with abundant natural lighting. H-E-B commissioned several art installations throughout the store, ranging from murals to sculptures.

The South Congress H-E-B first opened in 1957 with 25,000 square feet and later expanded to 69,000 square feet. It was demolished in 2022 to make way for the new store. During construction, customers in the area were served by a temporary location at the nearby Twin Oaks Shopping Center.

To commemorate the opening of the new store, H-E-B donated $10,000 each to the Barton Springs Conservancy, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, St. Edward’s University Food Pantry, Texas School for the Deaf, and St. Ignatius Martyr Church Food Pantry.

The new South Congress store employs about 600 partners — the term the company uses for its employees.

With more than 160,000 partners across the company, H-E-B is the largest privately held employer in the Lone Star State. The San Antonio-based chain operates more than 435 stores across Texas and Mexico.

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Austin, TX

Swims You Might Have Missed On The Final Day Of The 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2026

Press Room

Swims You Might Have Missed On The Final Day Of The 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series

2026 PRO SWIM SERIES – AUSTIN

As the Austin Pro Swim Series draws to a close, there were a few swims on the final night that you may have missed.

Van Mathias made a lot of noise in the breaststroke events this week, but had a stunning swim to take 2nd in the 50 fly last night. He hacked six tenths off a second off his best of 23.62, set in the semi-finals, to notch 23.06 and rise to third in the world this season. Not only that, but he is now the 5th-fastest U.S. man in history in the event.

Ryan Erisman has thrown down some speedy swims on freestyle in Austin, but closed out the meet with the 200 fly, an event he hadn’t swum since 2024. He knocked 1.47 seconds off his best of 1:59.47, going 1:58.00 for 3rd place.

Bobby Finke also tried the 200 fly on for size, swimming the third-fastest time of his career in 1:59.34. That included a 29.11 final 50 which took him from 8th to 4th.

Brinkleigh Hansen set a big best time en route to silver in the women’s 800 free, knocking seven seconds off the 8:42.75 she swam 18 months ago. She swam 8:35.78 tonight, beating Claire Weinstein by over a second, and now ranks 39th in the 15-16 age group.

Luc Dionne notched another breaststroke personal best, slicing a second and a half off in the 200 to go 2:13.31. He also ranks highly in the 15-16 age group, moving up from 18th to 6th, just ahead of American Record holder Matt Fallon.

Emma Harvey lowered her own Bermudian record in the women’s 50 fly last night, shaving eleven-hundredths off to go 26.59 and place 4th overall. She neared her nati0nal standard of 28.34 in the 50 back later in the session, swimming 28.70 for another 4th place finish.

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Austin, TX

Texas A&M holds off Texas, ends long drought in Austin

Published

14 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Press Room

Texas A&M holds off Texas, ends long drought in Austin

Rashaun Agee and Rylan Griffen scored 17 points each as Texas A&M outlasted Texas 74-70 on Saturday in a key Southeastern Conference dustup between the two rivals in Austin, Texas.

The contest was tied at 29 at halftime before the Aggies (14-4, 4-1 SEC) surged to the front by 10 points early in the second half. Texas pulled to within 68-62 when Jordan Pope converted a four-point play with 4:37 left.

Ali Dibba’s layup and a 3-pointer by Jacari Lane, the latter with 3:02 remaining, built the A&M lead to 11 points but the Longhorns made a final surge, drawing to 73-70 on Chendall Weaver’s putback layup with 7.9 seconds to play.

Lane then canned a free throw to close out the game and the Longhorns, as Texas A&M ended an 11-game road losing streak to the Longhorns.

Ruben Dominguez added 10 points and Agee grabbed 11 rebounds for the Aggies, who have won seven of their past eight games.

Pope and Dailyn Swain led Texas with 17 points apiece, with Matas Vokietaitis scoring 14 and Tramon Mark adding 13 points. The Longhorns (11-7, 2-3 SEC) had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Texas opened the game by scoring seven of the first nine points before the Aggies roared back with a 10-2 run, going up 12-9 on a putback dunk by Jamie Vinson at the 10:49 mark of the half. A&M pushed its lead to four points on a Pop Issacs’ layup with 8:37 to play but the Longhorns swung back, retaking the lead at 15-14 when Mark drove the lane for a short jumper 50 seconds later.

Texas expanded the margin to six points after Swain’s free throw with 3:36 to play until halftime but the Aggies answered with a 11-2 run punctuated by a pair of free throws by Lane with 17 seconds left in the half. That was just enough time for Mark to find the space to hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer that tied the game at 29 at the break.

Vokietaitis led all scorers with 11 points before halftime while Agee and Dominguez hit for seven each to pace Texas A&M.

A&M roared out of the gate over the first four-and-a-half minutes of the second half, building a 46-36 lead after Dibba’s layup with 15:25 to play.

–Field Level Media

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Austin, TX

Top 5 Events In Austin Today – Saturday, 17th January, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2026

Press Room

Top 5 Events in Austin Today - Saturday, 17th January, 2026 - Collage

Updated: Saturday, January 17, 2026

This Saturday, January 17th, 2026, Austin is radiating with energy, offering a soulful blend of wellness, history, and world-class performance!

Below is my list of the Top 5 events in Austin today. For a complete round-up, check out my article on the best Events Happening in Austin this Weekend!

Today’s highlights offer something for every vibe, whether you’re seeking a fresh perspective at the Metaphysical Fair for Austin or honoring a powerful legacy at the MLK Kids Event in San Marcos. For those looking to move, the Mind, Body, Vacancy series at Vacancy Brewing kicks off your morning with community-focused wellness.

As evening falls, you can choose between the breathtaking choreography of the Mark Morris Dance Group at Bass Concert Hall or an intimate, string-quartet tribute to Coldplay under the glow of candlelight in Georgetown. Whether you’re exploring the arts, diving into spiritual wellness, or enjoying family-friendly history, these top picks capture the very best of the Greater Austin area this Saturday.

Read on to plan your day and make some unforgettable memories in Central Texas!

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Top 5 Events in Austin Today – Saturday, 17th January, 2026

Metaphysical Fair for Austin

Image Credit: heartoftexasfairs.com

Experience a day of insight and transformation at the Metaphysical Fair for Austin. Visitors can connect with gifted psychics, healers, and intuitive readers while exploring a variety of metaphysical vendors.

The event also offers a unique opportunity to discover crystals and spiritual tools designed to provide guidance and refresh your energy for the year ahead.

Where: Wyndham Garden Austin, 3401 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78741
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026
How Much: Free

MLK Kids Event

Image Credit: dhasmtx.com

Join the Dunbar Heritage Association for a vibrant celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This family-friendly event invites children and teens (ages 3–18) to engage with history through new books, art, videos, and hands-on crafts.

Where: San Marcos Public Library, 625 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 10:30 am – 1 pm
How Much: Free

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay on Strings

Experience the music of Coldplay reimagined for a string quartet at the Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center at Southwestern University.

The evening’s tentative program features orchestral arrangements of the band’s most iconic hits, including “Yellow,” “The Scientist,” “Fix You,” and “A Sky Full of Stars.” Secure your tickets to enjoy these contemporary anthems in an intimate, atmospheric environment.

Where: Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center at Southwestern University, 1001 E University Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 8:45 pm
How Much: Starts at $31

Mind, Body, Vacancy: Social Wellness Series at Vacancy Brewing

Top 5 Events in Austin Today - Social Wellness Series at Vacancy Brewing

Image Credit: Vacancy Brewing FB Page

Join us at Vacancy Brewing for Mind, Body, Vacancy, a four-week social wellness series at Vacancy Brewing focused on movement, community, and good vibes. Each week brings a new local fitness partner and class style, all levels welcome.

Where: 415 E St Elmo Rd 1 d2, Austin, TX 78745
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 11 am
How Much: Free

Mark Morris Dance Group: The Look of Love

Top 5 Events in Austin Today - The Look of Love

Image Credit: texasperformingarts.org

This production celebrates Bacharach’s sophisticated musical style, which blends jazz, rock, and Brazilian influences with the evocative, bittersweet lyrics of Hal David. The production is anchored by a live ensemble of piano, trumpet, bass, and drums, led by the powerhouse vocals of Broadway star Marcy Harriell.

Where: Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 7:30 pm
How Much: Not stated

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.