Home » H-E-B Historical Marker Unveiled In Kerrville, Texas
Corporate Store News Grocery Industry Home Page Latest News Southwest

H-E-B Historical Marker Unveiled In Kerrville, Texas

(Texas Historical Commission photo)

Last updated on May 4th, 2016 at 03:38 pm

A historical marker commemorating the founding of H-E-B was unveiled in Kerrville, Texas, on April 26. Florence Butt founded the grocery company in Kerrville in 1905.

Kerrville Mayor Jack Pratt presented a proclamation to Winell Herron, H-E-B group VP for public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs, during the ceremony. Texas State Rep. Andrew Murr was in attendance and spoke at the event, which also included remarks from local newspaper columnist and history buff Joe Herring and a reading of the marker by Deborah Gaudier, Kerr County Historical Commission Marker chair. marker web

The marker, located at 300 Main Street, reads:

“Charles C. Butt, his wife, Florence (Thornton), and their children moved to San Antonio from Memphis, Tennessee, in 1904. The following year they moved to Kerrville, where Florence invested $60 to open the C.C. Butt Grocery Store on Nov. 26, 1905. Located on Main Street, the store was on the first floor of the building and the family lived above. The youngest son, Howard E. Butt, started in the family business delivering groceries in a baby carriage, then a little red wagon and later by horse and buggy. He managed the store while finishing school, graduating as valedictorian of Tivy High School in 1914.

“Taking over store operations after serving in World War I, Howard E. Butt’s vision for the company resulted in widespread growth. In 1921, he implemented a cash-and-carry system rather than the traditional credit and delivery method. Early attempts to add stores in the Hill Country failed, but the business successfully added locations in the Rio Grande Valley under the name H.E. Butt Grocery Co., moving headquarters to Harlingen and later Corpus Christi. In 1936, the company acquired the Harlingen Canning Co. to provide ‘Texas-Grown, Texas-Packed Goods.’ In the 1930s and 1940s, H-E-B opened store in the larger cities of Corpus Christi, Austin and San Antonio.

“Howard E. Butt Sr. had a personal credo, ‘He profits most who serves best,’ and following his mother’s example, he and his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Holdsworth) Butt, involved themselves in philanthropic giving and charitable activities across the state of Texas. Headquartered in San Antonio since 1985, H-E-B is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States and the largest private employer in Texas.”

Today, H-E-B operates more than 370 stores in Texas and Mexico. Texas stores are operated under the H-E-B, H-E-B Plus, Mi Tienda, Joe V’s Smart Shop and Central Market banners.

See more photos from the ceremony here.

Featured Photos

Featured Photo PLMA Annual Private Label Trade Show
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap