It's been exactly a year since the folks over at HEB corporate headquarters decided that given the historical building restrictions on their plans to expand the store in downtown Brownsville wasn't worth the headaches and pulled up stakes.
Since then, the promised grocery store replacement has not happened and the store – a business anchor if there ever was one – remains boarded up.
For a while, H-E-B provided transportation to "partners" and customers that were used to the downtown store.
Newly-arrived Brownsville City Manager Noel Bernal was asked then about the about the closure and how it would affect business in that area.
“We have over $55 million in investment over the last five years and we will continue to focus on downtown because for the city, it will remain a priority,” said Bernal, who adds the city is already looking to add another grocery store in that same location.
Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez, who said the closure was disappointing, tried to play down the departure of the store.
“That H-E-B served almost entirely citizens in that area. A lot of them on foot. I don’t see how it will affect business at all, but will drastically affect these low income and economically depressed citizens,” said Mendez.
For a while, H-E-B provided transportation to "partners" and customers that were used to the downtown store.
Newly-arrived Brownsville City Manager Noel Bernal was asked then about the about the closure and how it would affect business in that area.
“We have over $55 million in investment over the last five years and we will continue to focus on downtown because for the city, it will remain a priority,” said Bernal, who adds the city is already looking to add another grocery store in that same location.
Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez, who said the closure was disappointing, tried to play down the departure of the store.
“That H-E-B served almost entirely citizens in that area. A lot of them on foot. I don’t see how it will affect business at all, but will drastically affect these low income and economically depressed citizens,” said Mendez.
Up to now there is no sign of the promised store, and like Mendez, downtown residents and customers from Matamoros remain "disappointed," especially with the inaction of the city to replace it with another one.
(Nuestro agradecimiento por las fotos a uno de nuestros siete lectores, el Sr. Gerardo Danache. Gracias Colega!)
13 comments:
Wasn't that gringo museum going to lease the heb building to store trinkets? What hopppon?
brownsville needs to buck-up AND do for itself. It always leans on others. Bitch when HEB leaves the city altogether!
When elected politicians stop their self-serving themselves, their family and their friends maybe this city will get to be self-sufficient and its citizens.
Good place for a Michorizoacana Mex-Mart.
Un Lopez,Globo#2 o algo.
The decisions many of our leaders are making do not reflect the will of the people of Texas. First, the spread of coronavirus remains strong in Texas. With flu season nearly upon us, this higher level of cases could put our hospitals in a perilous state if we see a further spike.
Gov. Greg Abbott should be looking at pulling back on the opening of some businesses and certainly not additional openings. Second, Attorney General Ken Paxton is under scrutiny again. This is no surprise: He’s had charges that he has not answered for since 2015. Is it a surprise that member of his own office don’t even want to work with him anymore? All this while leading the effort to take Affordable Care Act protections away from Texans (and the rest of the American people).
Unfortunately neither Abbott or Paxton are on the ballot this November (although they are doing what they can to suppress the vote). I encourage all Texans who are embarrassed by these two to show up (early) and vote for Joe Biden, MJ Hegar and other Democratic candidates who will better represent the people of Texas.
Ese H.E.B. TONY!!!
Why not open up some maquinitas and the parking lot will be full. Why can Brownsville not do the same as Lyford and Sebastian have been able to do with permission from the city. Although, I do hear we have some in Brownsville that are hidden and only certain people go there. Who are the owners and don't tell me the law enforces do not know about them? Why were they allowed in Brownsville before?
"it will only affect the poor" Trey, I have news about the average person in Brownsville... In case you don't know about the demographic of your own city...
Misinformed. HEB had a profitable operation in that location and left because this city has no idea how to play poker.Mayors from the glory days did. HEB downtown left because they wanted to drive the business to the Matamoros stores and lost nothing by leaving downtown.Mission accomplished. That store while not the sales of yesteryear, were still some of the highest psf. Per capita, Brownsville is one of the most profitable cities for HEB. Historical? Renovation? Please.
Another grocery store on a smaller scale would fit right in somewhere downtown if the city made overtures with the right agents. Et tu,Brutus? It's doable, give the incentives to the agents to look. NOW..Downtown will not revive on it's own nor from these figurehead little people with titles who know not, that they know not.
Idots living back in the 1900's Knock down the Amigo BUidlng and make a new HEB idiots. Bring money into the city JoBS Workers customerZ Pendejoz .. City is ran by idiots all across the board They should learn from McAllen.
Bring more store sweepers and waiters from dallas that should take care of the city's misfortunes, right Johnny tray MENDEZ pinche mamon wanna be gringo ak
The Mayorcito is worthless. He does not have a clue on how to better our city, not only is an HEB needed downtown to serve the residents of that area as well as the people who cross the bridge, but an HEB is also needed across from Rancho Viejo for the people that reside in Olmito and part of San Benito and Los Fresnos. Many jobs will be created by having two more HEBs but our city leaders are either idiots or do not give a shit about our city. It's one or the other. I do not understand how a city that is on the border with a Port and a tourist destination(South Padre Island) has not grown in the same way as Mcallen. Our downtown is in terrible shape. Buildings should have been replaced by multi level parking so when we have Charro Days the residents can park close to the parade, and with enough parking maybe more stores like Ross will open.
Post a Comment