SAN ANTONIO – The Nogalitos neighborhood just south of downtown is beaming with pride after the reopening of the newly renovated HEB grocery store.
"The community has been waiting for something like this for a very long time," said Alex Tuscano, store manager.
The original store opened in 1945. David Reyna, who will be 100 years old in February, was actually there for the original opening. He was the last shopper in line before the remodeling process began last March and he was the first in line for the reopening.
"I didn't expect it, I was surprised to see a store this large," Reyna said.
The store now has nearly 62,000 square feet. It has a new drive-through pharmacy; a new bakery and deli; and expanded beer, wine and produce sections.
"We also realize that there are other neighborhoods that are surrounding us downtown and we want to make sure that we broaden our selection, our assortment," Tuscano said.
When renovations were first announced, there was some controversy over the store losing its local flavor. But the facade has been kept intact.
That means there is a unique connection between the old and new. Shoppers are taken back 70 years with the outward appearance of the store, but when they enter, they are brought back into modern times.
The store is two stories tall with a parking garage on the first floor. Shoppers go up a "travelator" to get to the store on the second floor, and in order to transport the groceries, the shopping carts are equipped with specially-made wheels that stick to the track on the "travelator."
"(The) change is unbelievable, it's great," Reyna said.