Last updated on December 5th, 2021 at 07:21 pm
When H-E-B opened its second store in Leander, Texas, at 19348 Ronald Reagan Blvd. on Nov. 17, it also made a surprise announcement to gift a severely wounded military veteran a new, mortgage-free home.
Through its Spirit of Giving philosophy, H-E-B celebrated the store’s grand opening by surprising U.S Army Sgt. Aaron Cabrera with the news. The house, to be built in Liberty Hill, Texas, is the result of a partnership between H-E-B, Operation Finally Home and Highland Homes.
Cabrera was born in Havana, Cuba, where both his father and grandfather were political prisoners. After his father’s release, the family moved to Venezuela and eventually sought political asylum in the United States, settling in Miami, Florida.
Cabrera served nearly nine years in the Army, including two combat tours in Iraq. He was severely injured during his first tour of duty. For his service, Cabrera has been recognized with a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Badge, an Iraq Campaign Medal with two stars, five Army Commendation Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, among other awards.
Cabrera is currently attending Austin Community College with the goal of becoming a music educator. He’s also founder and president of Diego’s Wish, a nonprofit that helps families with the loss of a child to suicide, and the co-founder and VP of Warriors Within, a nonprofit providing free yoga and meditation classes to veterans.
Also in celebration of the Leander store’s grand opening, H-E-B gave $30,000 in community gifts, which includes $7,500 each to Hill Country Community Ministries and Operation Liberty Hill, and $5,000 each to Leander Educational Excellence Foundations, Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation and Georgetown ISD Education Foundation.
Spanning more than 103,000 square feet, the store is located in the new Bar W Marketplace and features an expansive product assortment and several services for customers.
With expanded departments and offerings such as produce, dairy and H-E-B Organics, other amenities include:
- H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery, allowing customers to shop online and pick up orders at the store or schedule delivery to their homes;
- Pharmacy with drive-thru;
- Full-service bakery and tortilleria that offers a wide selection of artisan breads, fresh tortillas made in house, large varieties of decadent desserts, pastries and cakes;
- Expansive deli featuring in-house roasted meats;
- Wine and beer department with a variety of local, national and international labels;
- Wide selection of organic foods and expanded Healthy Living department;
- Blooms floral area offering online ordering;
- Full-service meat market and seafood counter;
- Meal Simple area with chef-inspired options for quick and simple meal planning;
- Sushiya offering handmade sushi selections made in-store daily;
- Texas Backyard, offering products for grilling, gardening and outdoor entertaining;
- Business Center for financial services, licenses and permits, tickets to local attractions, lottery;
- Fuel station and car wash; and
- Ample self-checkout area with self-checkout options.
H-E-B at Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Leander will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
