Kyle residents want more grocery options as the city continues to grow

Note: This story has been updated as of Monday, June 26 to reflect comments provided by City of Kyle Director of Economic Development Victoria Vargas, which were received after press time.

KYLE — H-E-B opened its doors in small town Kyle in 2007 when there was nothing except fields and corn for miles. At the time, this supersized store was more than enough for its population of 24,404. Sixteen years later and a growth of almost 30,000 residents, this is no longer the case.

According to the 2020 census, Kyle had a population of 51,789, which continues to increase, and is the second largest city in Hays County, behind San Marcos, yet there is only one grocery store option available for residents. Although both Walmart and Target carry food products, they are department stores while H-E-B is strictly a food retailer.

The need for a new grocery store is long overdue and residents are tired of asking.

After an announcement of more chain restaurants, Ballad Ingram had one response, “H-E-B. That’s all. We need another one on [FM] 21 … [It] would be life changing.”

Council member Yvonne Flores-Cale agrees in more ways than one with frustrated residents.

“My personal experience is that I go to H-E-B all the time and it’s always hard to find parking, the place is always packed and sometimes they run out of product,” said Flores-Cale.

“From my professional side, I was excited that we were going to get a Costco. I thought that would relieve some stress of the traffic from H-E-B or some of the retail would transfer over. None of it has changed.”

With a population of 5,787, Dripping Springs is set to open its second H-E-B next month, located at 12225 U.S. 290 West. The town has less than 10% of Kyle's population, yet is focusing its developments on the future of the community.

Flores-Cale has informally discussed the possibility of a new H-E-B with management, though nothing has been agreed upon.

“It’s what the residents have asked for, for years … I want to put out a plea to any grocer that’s willing to come to Kyle [to talk to us],” said Flores-Cale.

Victoria Vargas, director of Economic Development, ensured residents that the city has heard the requests for more grocery options.

“It has been brought to our attention many times by residents. We are actively working to create an Economic Development Strategic Plan that will assess the needs of all our residents, which will include a Gap Analysis to help identify missing amenities,” said Vargas. This will help our team focus our efforts on retail recruitment.”