H-E-B is a familiar name to just about anyone in Texas. The company operates 4 separate grocery store brands (Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop, Mi Tienda, and H-E-B) with locations in 4 out of the 5 largest metroplexes in the state, sorry El Paso. H-E-B even has extensive operations throughout Northeastern and Central Mexico. However, a grandiose expansion was not exactly how H-E-B entered the Houston market. With roots in the Hill Country town of Kerrville, Texas. Initial expansion of H-E-B was slow and limited to small towns around the headquarters. Throughout the 20th century HEB would increase their presence in smaller and rural communities, along with San Antonio. At the time larger cities, like Dallas and Austin faced fierce competition from mostly from huge out-of-state chains. Houston was no exception and by the 1980s are the three most dominant chains in Houston were Kroger, Safeway, and Randall’s.
After braving markets far outside their home territory H-E-B began a slow crawl up the Gulf Coast into Houston, starting slowly from the successful Corpus Christi market. To test the new Houston market a cost saving measure was made to open a few “Pantry Foods” locations in older disused grocery stores. The Houston area had plenty of these thanks to the respective bankruptcies of Safeway/AppleTree. As many of these stores were pushing 30 years old space was limited. As such Pantry Foods banner did not carry as much stock compared to other grocery stores of the time. There were no specialty shops such as a Deli, Bakery, Butcher, or Pharmacy. The variety of items was quite low, shelf space was usually reserved for one name brand item, and one generic. There was little staff outside the managers, stockers, and cashiers, if a product wasn’t out on the shelf to be sold, it wasn’t available. The number of items in the store was also dropped limiting variety. These ideas helped to keep costs down with the end goal of introducing H-E-B to the Houston area, as a serious competitor against chains like Kroger, and Albertsons.

The plan of attack was simple, H-E-B would start from the small towns around Houston abandoned by closing Safeways and use that to build. Throughout the early 90s multiple stores were opened around Houston and in the suburbs surrounding the area. By the mid 90s development had moved within the loop. The stores in the Houston Metro area were generally a bit bigger than their more rural counterparts. Again, this was due to reusing old stores and living with whatever choices that first company had made.

Photo Source: HoustonTvNews (Deleted)
By the end of the decade H-E-B had become an established name in Houston. They were seen as a smaller and somewhat scrappier competitor, but their prices kept customers coming back. In 2000 H-E-B Corporate offices announced that all Pantry Foods locations would be either converted to full H-E-B locations or closed. With the grocery expansion Wal-Mart had undertaken, and the GM expansions many grocery stores undertook, Pantry Foods began to seem a bit quaint. The lack of space and selection began to hurt the company as many shoppers moved to “One-Stop Shop” grocery stores such as, Kroger Signature, Walmart Supercenter, and even Randall’s Flagship. By 2002 the company was closing their final Pantry Foods locations.

For the most part the locations were either replaced by new builds or remodeled and expanded, with only a few closing permanently. At the same time, H-E-B began a huge push into Houston. Many locations which never had Pantry Foods locations gained new H-E-B’s. With many shopping centers orienting themselves around the huge new stores. The Pantry Foods experiment only lasted about 10 years. Some stores did survive, simply dropping the Pantry Foods banner. Some of these locations received small updates, and new products. However, they’re still quite limited compared to most other grocery stores.
Photo Gallery
Location List
Store Number | Address | Notes |
---|---|---|
304 | 435 Uvalde Rd Houston, TX 77015 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2004, Was not replaced by a full line store. Originally a Weingarten, Then Safeway Budget Store, Did not become AppleTree, Now a dd's Discounts |
305 | 1033 Bay Area Blvd Clear Lake, Webster, TX 77062 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2001, Moved to former Albertsons in 2002. Originally a Eagle Discount Supermarket, Then Pyburn's Farm Fresh Foods, Then Super Warehouse Foods, Now Specs |
306 | 4980 Hwy 6 N Houston, TX 77084 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2002, Replaced by Bear Creek location Originally an Eagle Discount Supermarket, Then Kingsaver, Now 99 Cent Only Stores |
307 | 2211 Southmore Ave Pasadena, TX 77502 | Pantry Foods: 1993-2004, Replaced by Mi Tienda in former Albertsons. Originally a Kroger, Then Phil's Hometown Food, Now subdivided mostly El Ahorro Supermarket |
308 | 22618 Aldine Westfield Rd Spring, TX 77373 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2017, Replaced by Joe V's. Originally a Rice Food Market, Now a Dollar Tree |
309 | 5815 Antoine Dr Houston, TX 77091 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2003, Built as Pantry Foods, expanded prior to closing. Now Harris Co. Annex 38 |
310 | 13730 Cypress North Houston Rd Cypress, TX 77429 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2004, Built as Pantry Foods. Now Hunting Specialty Supplies (Drilling Supplies?) |
311 | 5320 FM 1765 Texas City, TX 77591 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2003, Went unreplaced until new La Marque store opened. Originally a Weingarten, sold to Newman's, Now Food-Rite Market (Independent grocer) |
315 | 2226 Shaver St Pasadena, TX 77502 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2002, Replaced by Mi Tienda, location never expanded. Later 99 Cent Only Stores Now Gala Event Center |
316 | 9510 Beechnut St Houston, TX 77036 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2002, Built as Pantry Foods, Replaced by Beltway/Beechnut location. Now subdivided between Gol Bar and Dollar City |
317 | 15707 Bellaire Blvd Houston, TX 77083 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2002, Built as Pantry Foods, Replaced by Presidio Square location. Now Cubesmart |
318 | 28520 Tomball Pkwy Tomball, TX 77375 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2003, Originally used Safeway building which was demolished and rebuilt in 2004. Originally Safeway, then AppleTree sold to HEB in 1992 |
319 | 12900 Aldine Westfield Rd Houston, TX 77039 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2012, Replaced by Joe V's. Location was expanded. Now Dollar Tree and smaller stores |
320 | 8440 Bissonnet St Houston, TX 77074 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2002, Built as Pantry Foods, Room left for expansion but never used, Closed when Beechnut/Beltway location opened. Now Southwest Schools - Elementary Campus |
321 | 12638 Bissonnet St Houston, TX 77099 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2002, Replaced by Presidio Square location. Originally a Safeway, Did not become AppleTree, Now Pakistani Community Center |
322 | 5417 S Braeswood Blvd Houston, TX 77096 | Pantry Foods: 1992-2018, Closed after Hurricane Harvey, did not reopen due to Meyerland Plaza store. Originally a Rice Food Market, Now vacant |
323 | 215 W Main St League City, TX 77573 | Originally a Kroger, HEB 1995-2002, Now Palais Royal |
326 | 115 W Parkwood Ave Friendswood, TX 7754 | Converted into smaller shops (most of parking displaced by bank) |
328 | 3131 Campbell Rd Houston, TX 77080 | Built 1994, Closed around 2004, Now an HEB production facility for prepared foods. |
329 | 11616 Beamer Rd Houston, TX 77089 | Built 1992, Closed around 2006, Now CubeSmart |
330 | 11940 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77077 | Originally a Continental Finer Foods, Then Minimax, Then Jumbo, Then Sak-n-Save, HEB Now a Sprouts Farmers Market |
331 | 301 W 11th St. Houston TX 77008 | Originally a Lucky-Seven, Torn down, HEB 1993-? Demolished for Regions Bank |
335 | 1050 Federal Rd Houston, TX 77015 | Currently Sellers Bros., former Safeway...may not have been AppleTree |
337 | 12550 Bammel North Houston Rd Houston, TX 77066 | Now a campus for Vistas High School (Klein ISD) |
338 | 4703 Lexington Blvd Missouri City, TX 77459 | Now Embody Fitness Center, facade still intact. |
349 | 7308 Louetta Rd Spring, TX 77379 | Rebuilt with new store directly behind it |
352 | 5130 Cedar St Bellaire, TX 77401 | Opened April 1994 as per outside plaque. Demolished in 2016 for replacement store |
362 | 1550 S Mason Rd Katy, TX 77450 | Now a 24 hour Fitness Sport location |
364 | 11700 Bellaire Blvd Houston, TX 77072 | Now Bellaire Auto Parts |
365 | 11320 Chimney Rock Rd Houston, TX 77035 | Now a 99 Cent Only Store |
369 | 6102 Scott St Houston, TX 77021 | "Upgraded" Closed 2019 after replacement |
435 | 1511 W 18th St Houston, TX 77008 | Opened August 1997 as per outside plaque, closed in 2019 due to replacement |
436 | 216 FM 1960 Humble, TX 77338 | 99 Cents Only Store |
437 | 2000 Bayport Blvd Seabrook, TX 77586 | Palais Royal |
438 | 5104 Harrisburg Blvd Houston, TX 77011 | Now an AutoZone and other stores. |
439 | 5450 Airline Dr Houston, TX 77076 | King Dollar |
440 | 1414 Wirt Rd Houston, TX 77055 | Now the Trini Mendenhall Community Center. Originally a Safeway. |
442 | 1011 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77006 | Now a Half Price Books |
456 | 6960 Barker Cypress Rd Houston, TX 77084 | After sitting vacant for many years, this location was finally converted into a Planet Fitness Speciality location further investigation needed |
460 | 7994 Bellfort St Houston, TX 77061 | Now Northern Tool + Equipment |
469 | 9215 West Rd Houston, TX 77064 | Split between a Goodwill and Dollar Tree |
470 | 21155 Tomball Pkwy Houston, TX 77070 | Now a Stein Mart |
471 | 14540 Memorial Dr Houston, TX 77079 | Closed 2018 to become an delivery distribution center |
492 | 1550 Fry Rd Houston, TX 77084 | Permits filed as a Pantry Foods, opened as a full HEB. Still Open |
3106 Quail Valley Dr Missouri City, TX 77489 | Pantry Foods: 1992-1993? Replaced by Missouri City Store. Originally Eagle Discount Alternate Address 2404 Cartwright | |
13201 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77083 | Pantry Foods:1992-1993? My Hoa Market | |
Stores outside the Houston area | ||
12 | 1180 S 11th St Beaumont, TX 77701 | Goodwill |
15 | 909 S Sam Houston Ave Huntsville, TX 77340 | |
17 | 1239 E Mulberry St Angleton, TX 77515 | Still Open |
21 | 3601 Center St Deer Park, TX 77536 | Building existed prior to 1990s, was likely built as a Safeway. |
23 | 14670 FM 2100 Crosby, TX 77532 | Crosby ISD Transportation Building |
33 | 75 N Major Dr Beaumont, TX 77707 | Storage Spot |
35 | 2424 N 16th St Orange, TX 77630 | Still open |
44 | 320 S Twin City Hwy Nederland, TX 77627 | Home Surplus Outlet |
53 | 5000 32nd St Groves, TX 77619 | Still Open |
59 | 2026 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 | Open as H-E-B Pantry 1991-2002, later Gattitown (2003-2012), now DSW (2013-) |
62 | 1905 Old Hearne Rd Bryan, TX 77803 | Replacement store built almost directly next to it in 2011, original store torn down |
73 | 3930 E Lucas Dr Beaumont, TX 77706 | vacant |
86 | 3401 Gulfway Dr Port Arthur, TX 77642 | Still Open |
116 | 819 S Main St Lumberton, TX 77657 | Still Open |
118 | 2031 Texas Ave Bryan, TX 77802 | Harmony Science Academy |
256 | 2105 Milam St Columbus, TX 789 | Still Open |
257 | 100 Truly PLZ Cleveland, TX 77327 | Still Open |
261 | 1502 W Cameron Ave Rockdale, TX 76567 | Former Safeway, closed without replacement in 2005 (no mention of "Pantry" signage) |
266 | 420 E Gibson St Jasper, TX 75951 | Harbor Freight Tools |
267 | 918 21st St N Texas City, TX 77590 | Relocated 2015, empty. |
271 | 110 E Brazos Ave West Columbia, TX 77486 | Still Open |
277 | 3216 E Broadway St Pearland, TX 77581 | Later Athletic Dreams, now Forgotten Angels Resale Shop |
278 | 1021 N Main St Liberty, TX 77575 | Vacant, but not before becoming "Thrif-Tee Food Center" |
279 | 410 Plantation Dr Lake Jackson, TX 77566 | Closed |
283 | 2200 N Main St Baytown, TX 77520 | vacant |
286 | 6013 Stewart Rd Galveston, TX 77551 | Opened 1990 (former Safeway), closed 2008 after Ike, now Odyssey Academy |
287 | 1035 E Loop 304 Crockett, TX 75835 | Still Open |
288 | 207 E South St Alvin, TX 77511 | Still Open |
297 | 20 Porterwood Vlg Porter, TX 77365 | Now a Goodwill |
303 | 130 Sawdust Rd, Spring, TX 77380 | Still Open Originally a Safeway Superstore 1980-1987 |
326 | 115 W Parkwood Ave Friendswood, TX 7754 | Converted into smaller shops (most of parking displaced by bank) |
336 | 7130 FM 1960 Humble, TX 77346 | 99 Cents Only Store |
339 | 1509 W Church St Livingston, TX 77351 | Still Open |
348 | 4206 Avenue T Santa Fe, TX 77510 | Still Open |
351 | 301 N Wells St Edna, TX 77957 | Still Open |
355 | 201 W Gonzales St Yoakum, TX 77995 | Still Open |
358 | 4431 Nelson Rd Lake Charles, LA 70605 | Opened 1996 (acquired from Delchamps) and closed 2003 (later became Market Basket) |
360 | 2108 N Frazier St Conroe, TX 77301 | Still Open |
368 | 1161 N Esplanade St Cuero, TX 77954 | Closed After 2013 |
416 | 450 E Travis St La Grange, TX 78945 | Still Open |
417 | 424 St Matthew St Gonzales, TX 78629 | Still Open |
457 | 1305 Tenaha St Center, TX 75938 | Currently vacant; Originally Safeway later part of U Save Foods |
458 | 419 Texas Loop 436 Carthage, TX 75633 | Open; Originally a Safeway, branched off with U Save Foods. |
459 | 412 N Timberland Dr Lufkin, TX 75901 | Still Open |
The HEB that was on Uvalde Rd in the North Shore/Cloverleaf area stay opened a little longer, IIRC. I think it closed in 2007/8. It was said that their “people” couldn’t afford the rent there anymore so it got closed.
Love your photos, I shopped at Pantry Foods and they brought back lots of memories.