The time has finally come…almost. It’s looking like residents in Dallas will have to wait until 2028 to shop at an H-E-B within the city limits, but at least fans have a timeline to work with.

H-E-B submitted paperwork last week showing construction on its first $52 million Dallas store is aiming to begin in March 2027 and wrap up by September 2028. The San Antonio-based grocery chain has slowly expanded into North Texas in recent years, but now Dallas locals won’t have to hit the road for Meal Simples, Sushiya and True Texas BBQ.

Unsprisingly, the news was shared across multiple Reddit posts with hundreds of residents chiming in. Redditor CapGoogles had the best response, writing, “Bout dam time, has only taken them 20+ years.”

Academic_Libearian75 responded saying, “They are smart, build from the outside in. They are in every major suburb in DFW. Cheaper take market share the way they did it.” To which CapGoogles added, “Oh no I get the low and slow game, it’s just been a loooooong time coming. Very happy they have made the move in.”

As to why H-E-B is moving into Dallas, some speculated it’s due to a post-COVID-19 pandemic population boom. Codee33 added, “They probably saw all that suburban money and decided to capitalize on it.” While Redditor ranrotx took a jab at the Alamo City by saying, “They are from San Antonio. No one from there moves fast.”

The actual store is planned for the intersection of I-635 and Hillcrest Road in Dallas’ 75230 ZIP code. Redditor DirtySperrys noted, “That intersection is about to become a nightmare.” 

H-E-B has opened Dallas-area stores in Plano, Frisco, and Allen all within the last four years, but Redditor BlazinAzn38 wants to know, “Does anyone know why they didn’t expand north of Waxahachie forever and then all of a sudden blitzed DFW?”

Luka_Dunks_on_Bums suggested, “I believe that they had an agreement with Albertsons, to not enter DFW.” To which captainn_chunk agreed saying, “This is what I’ve always heard as well. That HEB would stay south of Waco and Albertsons would have north Texas. And as soon as Albertsons went down, HEB started moving in.”

Regardless of the why, H-E-B is moving into Dallas and, once completed, will offer a 127,000-square-foot store with a three-story parking garage.

“We look forward to serving more Texans with this new location,” Mabrie Jackson, the public affairs managing director for H-E-B and Central Market, said to MySA