South Austin Grocery Stores
Texas has many fine grocery stores, but there are two chains that offer uniquely different shopping experiences to the South Austin residents. H-E-B is based in San Antonio and has stores throughout Texas and Mexico. It’s a supermarket that offers its customers additional services that you don’t normally associate with a grocery store. Shoppers can have their prescription filled, visit the in-house business center and pay their utility bill and then go outside and fill their car with gasoline. Central Market, on the other hand, is less business-oriented and more focused on the gourmet shopper. The chain is owned by H-E-B and is a direct competitor of Whole Foods stores, although Central Market has a much narrower territory; the stores are only located in a few Texas cities. The Austin locations are very popular and have over a million visitors a year. Although H-E-B and Central Market share a common ownership, the ambience is very different between the two. Central Market is more upscale and has an eat-in café that hosts special events during the year. However, if you enjoy the Central Market brand of products, they can also be purchased at the H-E-B stores. Both chains have store locations near the South Austin town house development at Ravenscroft.
H-E-B
H-E-B is a major international supermarket chain with stores in both Mexico and Texas. The closest location to the Ravenscroft South Austin townhomes is to the north on West Slaughter Lane. HEB stands for Here Everything’s Better and the store does it best to live up to its name. It has aisles full of bargains, fresh produce, meat and seafood, a deli counter, freshly baked bread and a wide selection of cakes and pastries. If you’re thirsty and in the mood for libations, there’s a large assortment of beer and wine, including several Texas brands. If you’re sick, you can stop by the pharmacy or receive preventive immunizations. If you want to avoid foods containing gluten, gluten-free products are clearly labeled and available throughout the store. For your convenience, the store’s business center accepts payment for a wide variety of bills including utility, water, trash, cable and phone. While you’re saving time and staying organized with one-stop shopping and bill payment, you can even fill your car’s gas tank at the H-E-B gas stations.
Central Market
Central Market is a gourmet store that’s owned by H-E-B. The stores offer cooking and wine tasting classes, a café, live music, an online database of recipes and a newsletter for their “foodies”. The café has an extensive menu of burgers, pizza, soup and salads; a kid’s menu is available for children under 12. Breakfast is served every morning starting at 7 a.m. Live music is presented in the café on a regular basis; you can check the online event calendar for upcoming schedules. Delicious party platters and meals can be prepared for you that are large enough to serve 30 guests. All you need to do is heat them up at home. The closest store to the Ravenscroft South Austin townhomes is on South Lamar Boulevard, which is north of the Ravenscroft subdivision.
