When Texans are selecting a new neighborhood to move to, many consider its proximity to schools, entertainment centers, and yes, H-E-B. Folks in one San Antonio-area town have been hoping for the grocer’s arrival for years, but have yet to see it.
Many residents of Castroville, about a 30-minute drive from San Antonio, have been expressing desires for a closer location. Though it isn’t too far from its eastern neighbor, the feel is very different. With a population of roughly 3,500 and a lone school district, it’s avoided much of the Far Westside’s urban sprawl.
Over the last few years, though, folks have been feeling the push more than ever. Alsatian Oaks, an 18-acre retail and residential development, is under construction at U.S. Highway 90 and FM 471, just past a sign welcoming people into the city limits. The developer behind the property, Merit CRE, plans for it to host several chain stores, including Ulta Beauty, Boot Barn, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Bath & Body Works, by 2027…