H-E-B Pharmacy fills top spot in customer satisfaction ranking 2 years in a row

Here Everything is (Still) Better

Texans don't exactly need national rankings to know we're the best, especially when it comes to one of the top sources of state pride, H-E-B. Still, a little affirmation never hurts, and the San Antonio-based supermarket has just earned a new accolade among the best pharmacies in the U.S. for customer satisfaction.

This is the second consecutive title for H-E-B Pharmacy, which also earned the No. 1 spot in last year's J.D. Power ranking. Measuring customer satisfaction with brick-and-mortar and mail order pharmacies, the J.D Power U.S. Pharmacy Study uses data analytics and consumer intelligence based on responses from 12,142 pharmacy customers.

“This award illustrates a true team effort among all H-E-B Pharmacy Partners and is a direct result of everyone’s hard work, leadership and dedication to the health and wellness of our customers and communities throughout Texas,” said Craig Norman, R.Ph., H-E-B senior vice president, pharmacy.

And it wasn't just one category, either. H-E-B’s overall satisfaction swept all seven performance areas the study used to rate brick-and-mortar supermarkets, including:

No. 1 in people
No. 1 in time and cost savings
No. 1 in pharmacy trust
No. 1 in resolving problems or complaints
No. 1 in digital channel offerings (website, mobile app, text)
No. 1 in pharmacy offerings meet customer needs (medication and health/wellness services)
No. 1 in customers’ ability to get prescriptions how/when they want.

H-E-B has almost 290 pharmacy locations in Texas. In addition to providing prescription solutions at low prices, H-E-B Pharmacies also offer conveniences such as same-day prescription delivery, auto refills, health screenings, adult and child immunizations, compounding services, specialty pharmacy, nutrition services, and pet medications.

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B carts out new home decor and furniture for San Antonio shoppers

Milk, Bread, Eggs, Accent Chair

Milk, bread, eggs … accent chair? Beginning this month, some H-E-B shoppers in San Antonio and New Braunfels can pick up home goods and furniture along with their groceries.

On July 14, the San Antonio-based grocer announced the launch of two home decor lines under the new Home by H-E-B department. The two new brands — Haven + Key and Texas Proud — promise “hundreds of items” for shoppers, according to a release, including “timeless woven textiles, inspiring décor, and versatile furniture and accent pieces.”

Each line has its own distinct style. With its modern, sleek aesthetic, Haven + Key rivals Target’s Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, the smash-hit product line the mega-retailer developed with Joanna and Chip Gaines. Midcentury-inspired leather chairs, blond wood accents, gold-trimmed mirrors and objets d’art, and neutral pillows are just a handful of the home goods ready for browsing.

Texas Proud is just that: goods designed to remind us how proud we are of Texas.

“The Texas Proud collection will celebrate the bold and distinctive style of Texas, bringing home the iconic spirit of the Lone Star State. The line will feature items such as wood and antler art, leather goods, cowhide benches and candles,” H-E-B says in a release.

The retailer also notes that many of the products are designed right here in Texas, and features accents like crosses, "Come and Take It," and Texas flag wall hangings.

San Antonio-area shoppers are among the first to peruse the new collections, now available at the H-E-B plus! at Hwy. 281 and Evans Road and the three-month-old New Braunfels location, which became the first H-E-B in the state to offer the Home by H-E-B department when it opened in April 2022.

(The New Braunfels Home by H-E-B department is more than 2,500-square-feet and houses more than 500 pieces, so if shoppers are serious about sprucing up their interiors, it might be worth renting a U-Haul and heading to that location.)

“At H-E-B, we’re always looking for ways to offer an unique, quality shopping experience, and Home by H-E-B is another way we’re able to better meet the needs of Texans,” says Sabina Israelian-Garcia, H-E-B Group Vice President of General Merchandise, Drug Store and Beauty, in the July 14 release.

Along with Alamo City, Haven + Key and Texas Proud are currently only available in Corpus Christi and Brownsville, as well as Burleson, a suburb of Fort Worth. The retailer adds it has hopes to offer the Home by H-E-B departments in 25 stores across Texas this year, specifically citing the new stores in Frisco and Plano.

Currently, both collections are available only in those five locations and can be purchased in-store or via the H-E-B app or website for curbside or delivery options.

The launch of Home by H-E-B and the Haven + Key and Texas Proud lines are the latest innovations for the South Texas retailer, which also owns Central Market. In recent years, H-E-B has dramatically increased its curbside and delivery services, continued the rollout of its award-winning Texas True BBQ restaurant, and has continued its expansion to the farthest reaches of the Lone Star State.

More recently, it launched a multimillion-dollar fund to build a new elementary school in Uvalde following May's devastating mass shooting. Even its strategy during the pandemic was lauded as one of the most thoughtful corporate responses in the U.S., proving once again that it’s H-E-B’s world, we’re just living in it.

The new collection is available in two San Antonio-area stores, though the retailer hopes to have it in 25 locations by the end of the 2022.

H-E-B furniture Home by HEB Haven and Key

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

The new collection is available in two San Antonio-area stores, though the retailer hopes to have it in 25 locations by the end of the 2022.

Courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B establishes $10 million donation to rebuild Uvalde's Robb Elementary

H-E-B for Uvalde

After the tragedy in Uvalde last month, H-E-B did what it does best, stepping up to help Texans in need. Beyond announcing a $500,000 donation for victims and their families, the grocery chain deployed its disaster relief trucks to the South Texas town to provide meals, supplies, and further recovery resources in partnership with local nonprofits for the people of Uvalde. But the store isn't stopping there: H-E-B this week announced a new donation to help rebuild Robb Elementary, where the massacre took place.

Built in the 1960s, the elementary school serves approximately 538 students in grades second through fourth. The school has been permanently closed since the events on May 25, 2022, and plans are in place to demolish the building so that no students or staff ever have to return to the site of the tragedy.

In a news release, the Butt family and H-E-B announced they will commit $10 million to help build a new elementary campus in Uvalde. Longtime supporters of public education, the Butt family and H-E-B,will work as founding donors with other stakeholders and organizations on the development of this project.

Texas firms Huckabee and Joeris General Contractors, which are also founding donors, have also made generous commitments to donate their services and time to this project, which will help the children, families, staff and Uvalde CISD community move forward together.

“Our first store in Uvalde opened in 1959, and Uvalde people are our people,” said Charles Butt, H-E-B’s Chairman, in the release. “As we continue to mourn tremendous loss, I join with my family and H-E-B in working to ensure the Uvalde community can move forward from this tragic event. Our children are this country’s future, and our schools should be a safe place where children can thrive and envision new possibilities.”

According to the release, the new campus will significantly enhance educational offerings, implementing state-of-the-art safety and security measures and infrastructure to support the availability of new technology. The location and design of the new campus and timeline for the project have not been determined, but the school district will work closely with the Uvalde community, donors, and other stakeholders to solicit ideas and gather feedback for the project.

For those who would like to join the effort, contributions to support this project can be made by donating to the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization established to both raise funds for the new elementary campus and support the immediate and ongoing financial needs of Uvalde CISD. Donations can be made by visiting UvaldeCISDMovingForward.org.

"We will never forget those who were senselessly taken from us on that tragic day," says Uvalde CISD Superintendent Dr. Hal Harrell on the Moving Forward website. " ... we want to honor their legacy as we work to build our future."

Courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B's new brand of green products will benefit Texas Parks & Wildlife

H-E-Being Green

In its ongoing mission to take care of Texans, H-E-B has announced a new retail initiative that will support that commitment for generations to come.

Last year, the company revealed products from Field & Future by H-E-B, a new environmentally minded line of household, personal care, and baby products designed to be clean and green. Now, the retailer is using its new brand to benefit longtime partner, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF), by supporting their efforts to help conserve and protect Texas.

“Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is excited about our new partnership with H-E-B. This Texas company will donate a portion of all sales proceeds from its Field & Future line of sustainable products to support our efforts to conserve the state’s wildlife, habitat and natural resources,” TPWF Chairman Mike Greene tells CultureMap.

The retailer and the wildlife foundation are longtime partners, and this new initiative will aid coastal conservation efforts, as well as Black Bear restoration in West Texas and the establishment of the state’s newest park, Palo Pinto Mountains, which opens in North Texas next year.

“H-E-B is an iconic Texas company, and this new partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, our official non-profit partner, is incredibly exciting,” said TPWF Executive Director Carter Smith in an April 5 release. “It’s fitting that the Field & Future line of products will benefit conservation projects across Texas, and we’re deeply grateful for this new partnership.”

There are nearly 100 Field & Future by H-E-B items on shelves across Texas already. Products range from dish soap to bath tissue; baby diapers; and trash bags, which are made from 65 percent post-consumer recycled plastic from H-E-B facilities.

The line features the How2Recycle label, which is found on more than 1,700 other H-E-B branded items. The grocery chain joined the How2Recycle program last year, placing clear and easy-to-read labels on products so customers can know if and how to recycle product packaging.

“We know H-E-B and our customers have a shared commitment in protecting the land, water, and air of Texas for generations to come,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs in the release.

Since 2012, H-E-B has contributed more than $20 million to over 500 environmental organizations in land and water conservation, habitat and coastal preservation, and community cleanups. This includes giving more than $2 million in grants to organizations such as Keep Texas Beautiful, Texas Conservation Fund, and the Nature Conservancy in Texas.

Misha's

San Antonio Central Market boards vegan train with celebrity-backed cheese

Vegan News

There's a vegan cheese in town and it's kind of a big deal. The cheese is from Misha's, a Los Angeles-based company that makes what they claim is the best dairy-free cheese on the market, and it's making its debut at Central Market.

Misha's does a spreadable cheese flavored with herbs and spices. Central Market will carry the following six flavors:

Lox — dill, capers, carrots
French Connection — herbs de Provence, grains of paradise, black olives
Smoked Cheddar — smoked paprika, chipotle
Sari — sundried tomatoes, garlic, cilantro
Seven Point Five — jalapeno, habanero, strawberries
Black Truffle — black truffle, shallots

Previously, Misha's was available only on the West Coast and online. The new partnership with Central Market brings Misha's to Texas' seven top cities, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Southlake, and Plano. Five of those cities have CultureMap bureaus, so Misha's is on to something.

Central Market has been less quick to embrace vegan foods than other chains like Sprouts and Kroger's. But Misha's possesses extra assets: They're Black-owned and have a celebrity backing buzz from a group that includes Jay-Z and NBA All-Star Chris Paul.

Misha's cheese is made from cashew and almond milk, the most common ingredients used to make vegan cheese. And the cheese is spreadable, versus firm. Spreadable vegan cheese is far easier to make than firm vegan cheese — a lesson Misha's cofounders learned early in the game, as they told medium:

The first product we launched was an aged, sliceable cheese. It was fairly complicated to produce, and package and it was a bit volatile. One night, right as we were preparing for the next day's farmers market, it got the best of us. Our refrigerators failed and the cheese didn't set up properly. Ian and I looked at each other nearly defeated… all that time, all that effort, all that money… and then, almost in unison we said 'let's sell it as spreadable cheese!' Less time, less energy, cheaper to make and package."

Founders chef Ian Martin and Aaron Bullock, who began operating in 2018, have an unusual background for cheesemakers: They were previously in the music and entertainment industry. But Martin had begun exploring raw vegan cooking, and worked with two well-known raw vegan names: Matthew Kenny and Juliano's Planet Raw. Bullock, meanwhile, had an interest in naturopathic medicine and had opened a clinic.

They've earned backing by Marcy Venture Partners: Jay Brown and Jay-Z, Pendulum Holdings: Robbie Robinson, Lisa Shamus, and 11-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, and hope to reimagine the dairy aisle not only with their non-dairy cheese, but also other products such as milk, butter, and yogurt.

Emphasizing the gourmet/health vibe seems to make vegan food easier for foodies to swallow than the whole inconvenient "humane concern for animals" angle. Misha's is also certified and licensed in California as a Dairy Company, which allows them to legally use the word "Cheese."

Assets such as these have earned them attention on food websites such as Food 52 — and now a spot on the shelves of Central Market's 10 stores.

"With Austin, Houston and Dallas all consistently named most friendly for plant-based consumers, expanding into Texas is a perfect next move for Misha’s," Bullock says in a release. "We're a purpose-driven and community-focused company that believes in spreading kindness and committed to lifting as we climb. We're proud to join hands with the great people of Texas."

Photo courtesy of Kroger

National grocery chain carts out new delivery service across San Antonio

Getting food fast

Kroger, the country’s biggest traditional grocery chain, is treading on the home turf of San Antonio-based H-E-B with a new grocery delivery service in the San Antonio and Austin areas.

Kroger won’t open any stores for this expansion. Rather, Kroger will deliver groceries stored at new distribution centers in San Antonio and Austin. Each facility is expected to employ about 160 people.

These new facilities will be served by a 350,000-square-foot Kroger grocery hub in Dallas. The Northeast San Antonio facility will encompass 67,000 square feet, and the Northeast Austin facility will measure 70,000 square feet. Van drivers will be able to deliver groceries within 90 miles of each facility.

Cincinnati-based Kroger is set to kick off grocery delivery in the San Antonio and Austin areas later this year. This service will compete with the likes of H-E-B’s Austin-based Favor delivery platform, Walmart, Amazon/Whole Foods, and Instacart.

The company’s growing delivery network “is enabling Kroger to create thousands of technology, operations, logistics, and customer-care jobs and improve access to fresh food in cities eager for the variety and value offered by Kroger that once could only be accessed through our stores,” Gabriel Arreaga, Kroger’s senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, says in a new release.

Kroger operates more than 200 stores in Texas, including in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. The company, with almost 2,800 stores in the U.S., posted sales of nearly $138 billion in 2021.

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San Antonio had the 3rd largest population increase in the U.S., new Census report says

POPULATION REPORT

We already know things are changing in Texas at large, but how about San Antonio? Now, six out of the 15 most populous cities in the United States are in the Lone Star State, and the Alamo City had one of the largest numeric population increases in the nation. The U.S. Census Bureau's latest findings add more validity to reports that less people are interested in living in the city proper, and are seeking residence in the suburbs.

San Antonio added nearly 18,900 new residents between July 2021 to July 2022, bringing the city's total population to nearly 1,473,000. That put San Antonio at No. 3 on the list of numerical increases (as opposed to proportional growth). For scale, the report lists Austin at 1.0 million. Fort Worth took the top spot with its gain of 19,170 residents, and Phoenix, Arizona earned No. 2 after adding 19,053 to its population count.

The top 10 cities with the largest numeric population increases are:

No. 1 – Fort Worth, Texas
No. 2 – Phoenix, Arizona
No. 3 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 4 – Seattle, Washington
No. 5 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 6 – Jacksonville, Florida
No. 7 – Port St. Lucie, Florida
No. 8 – Cape Coral, Florida
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – Georgetown, Texas

New Braunfels also earned a nod in the report for being the No. 13 fastest growing city in 2022, and crossing the 100,000 population threshold. The city grew by 5.7 percent, adding up to 104,707 residents.

In an overall analysis of the 15 largest American cities in 2022, San Antonio ranked No. 7. Houston was the only Texas city that ranked higher at No. 4 with its population of over 2.3 million people. Dallas came in at No. 9 with a population of just under 1.3 million, and Austin barely made it into the top 10 with a population of 974,447 residents. Fort Worth ranked outside the top 10 at No. 13, with a population of 956,709.

The top 10 most populous American cities are:

No. 1 – New York City, New York
No. 2 – Los Angeles, California
No. 3 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 4 – Houston, Texas
No. 5 – Phoenix, Arizona
No. 6 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
No. 7 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 8 – San Diego, California
No. 9 – Dallas, Texas
No. 10 – Austin, Texas

The report additionally discovered that housing inventory skyrocketed by 1.6 million units between 2021 and 2022. Texas had the third fastest housing growth with a rate of 2.3 percent, versus Utah, which had the fastest growth at 3.3 percent.

San Antonio didn't make the cut in the list of the 10 most populous U.S. metro areas (as opposed to the cities, themselves), but Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 4, and Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land ranked No. 5.

The full report can be found on census.gov.

The Disney Immersive Experience is now offering sensory-friendly viewings

A whole new world

The Disney Immersive Experience at Lighthouse ArtSpace San Antonio has found a way to be extra inclusive for Disney fans.

Starting on Saturday, June 17, there will be three sensory friendly viewings of the Disney Immersive Experience (you can purchase tickets for the specific sensory friendly performances here).

So what does a sensory friendly viewing entail exactly? For starters, the volume of the show is reduced for a more comfortable viewing experience for guests with special needs.

Other accommodations for the sensory friendly viewing include comfortable gallery lighting (and there will be no blackouts like there are in the regular showings), reduced guest capacity, sensitivity warnings at certain potentially agitating moments in the show, and quiet areas outside of the gallery (where the show takes place) so guests can take a break if the noise is too overwhelming.

After the first sensory friendly viewing on Saturday, June 17, the remaining two sensory friendly performances will take place on Sunday, July 16, and Sunday, August 13.

Every sensory friendly viewing will take place at 10 am. Make sure to select the correct time slot when booking tickets (the sensory friendly performances are also marked 'sensory show' on the online booking calendar.) The sensory friendly viewings are also priced exactly the same as the regular viewings.

The Disney Immersive Experience will be housed at Lighthouse ArtSpace until August 13, 2023, and tickets are still available for regular showings as well as the sensory friendly viewings.

:Inclusion is important to us with all of our offerings, but all the more so with Immersive Disney Animation, which is truly an exhibit where everyone should feel welcome," says Lighthouse Immersive producer Corey Ross via release. "These viewings reduce the sensory output of the show to offer a relaxed environment and judgment-free zone where the wonderful worlds and characters of Disney Animation Studios can be enjoyed by all.”

Here are the top 7 things to do in San Antonio this weekend

Weekend Event Guide

Musical moments are certain to fill the air in the Alamo City for the next several days. Catch songstress Erykah Badu in concert or catch a Ryan Adams & The Cardinals show. Fiesta Noche del Rio promises ample dance and musical performances for the entire family to enjoy. Check out the top seven things to do in San Antonio this weekend. For a full list of events, go to our calendar.

Thursday, June 8

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals in concert
Americana music stars Ryan Adams & The Cardinals return to Austin for a live show at The Espee. Fans of the “Now That You’re Gone” band can expect the same hits with a new line-up of Adams, Brad Pemberton, Chris Stills, Daniel Clarke, and Don Was. Get seating information on Ticketmaster.

Friday, June 9

Broadway in San Antonio presents Riverdance
Irish dancing takes center stage at Majestic Theatre. Audiences will enjoy a production complete with traditional music and Riverdance’s famous style of energy and rhythmic expression. Shows are scheduled through June 11. Explore ticket availability at broadway.com.

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts presents Dreamgirls
Free movie nights continue at The Plaza at the Tobin Center with this week’s screening of the 2006 film Dreamgirls, starring Jennifer Hudson. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for a more comfortable viewing experience. A full bar and concessions will be available onsite. Admission to this screening is free and open to the public.

Alamo Kiwanis Club presents "Fiesta Noche del Rio"
The Alamo Kiwanis Club hosts the Fiesta Noche del Rio series for another summer season at Arneson River Theatre. Highlights include mariachis, flamenco guitar, dancing, costumes, food, and more. Get tickets and a full series schedule at fiestanochesa.com.

Saturday, June 10

Briscoe Western Art Museum presents Masoud Yasami's cloud painting workshop
Painter Masoud Yasami engages in conversation and guided instruction at this special evening of art. Registration includes supplies for the session and the chance to glean expert guidance on painting clouds. This event is open to participants of all skill levels. Sign up for the session at briscoemuseum.org.

Sunday, June 11

National Geographic Live: Cosmic Adventures with Tracy Drain
Get lost in scientifically-backed stories of the cosmos as told by aerospace engineer Tracy Drain. Guests will learn about Drain’s engineering challenges and scientific discoveries from the Kepler mission, as well as exclusive accounts of the Psyche mission. For ticket information visit tobincenter.org.

Erykah Badu in concert
Erykah Badu, widely known as the “Queen of Neo Soul,” performs live in concert at the AT&T Center. The voice of chart-topping songs such as “Bag Lady” and “Didn’t Cha Know” makes a stop in San Antonio in support of her Unfollow Me tour. She will be joined by Yasiin Bey. Get more information on Ticketmaster.

Photo courtesy of Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu will play in San Antonio on June 11.

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