Plans for vacated grocery stores

Plans for vacated grocery stores

Wednesday, 07 November 2007

Calvary Austin

1601 W. Pecan St.

Status: The former Albertsons location was auctioned late 2006, at which time Calvary Austin became interested in the property. The nondenominational church purchased the site in April and began remodeling.

“It was not our ultimate plan [to purchase a ready-made space], because we are limited by the look of the building. It was a major desire for us to purposefully change any outward look from Albertsons to our church,” Staff Pastor Darren Brock said. “We didn’t want to be the church in the Albertsons.”

The church has moved into the 56,000 sq. ft. space on Pecan Street and began services Oct. 13.

Although the site was previously zoned as general business, the church did not need rezoning for the change in occupancy from a grocery store to a place of worship. Churches and other religious gathering places are allowed in any zoning districts; however, in an area zoned residential, churches are required to follow specific guidelines, said Trey Fletcher, City of Pflugerville planning director.

For more information on the church, its services or the construction process, visit www.calvaryaustin.org.

Albertsons to H-E-B

3750 Gattis School Road

Status: Albertsons approached H-E-B to take its 65,000 sq. ft. Round Rock store, leading to finalized negotiations Sept. 11. Albertsons liquidated its inventory and closed the store Oct. 21.

Plans: H-E-B will remodel the store in preparation for the re-opening. This project will include new and rearranged shelving, signage and the changing of certain facilities to meet company food safety procedures. The Texas-based grocery chain plans to open by mid-December and has already extended offers of employment to some former Albertsons employees. The chain does intend to fill 175 job positions to service the store.

Albertsons RM 620 and IH 35

220 IH 35

Status: In June 2006, Albertsons announced the closing of several of its underperforming stores, including this location in Round Rock, and the building has remained empty.

Plans: The Weitzman Group is working to lease the building. For more information, call 482-0094.

H-E-B Mays and Hwy. 79

110 W. Palm Valley Blvd.

Status: H-E-B Plus! opened to the east at 1700 E. Palm Valley Blvd. in November 2005. The store at Mays closed when it could no longer meet the purchasing needs of Round Rock, said Leslie Lockett, H-E-B’s Austin-area public relations director. The store closed in November 2005.

Plans: The Weitzman Group has the building for sale. Ideas for the commercial property are being discussed. For more information, call 482-0094.