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HEB acquires Albertsons on University Dr. - The Battalion on Astini News

& Recently, HEB acquired three Albertsons locations in Texas, including one on East University Drive in College Station.

& There are four HEB locations in Bryan-College Station, including one located two miles from the Albertsons store. After Albertsons closes in the College Station area, HEB plans to lease the property as retail space to attract other potential retailers. Cyndy Garza-Roberts, public affairs director for HEB's Houston division, said the purchase was an independent decision from Albertsons to sell the property.

& "We view these acquisitions as an extension of our commitment to serve our Texas customers and communities," Garza-Roberts said. "These acquisitions will give other retailers the opportunity to move to the Bryan-College Station area."

& Royce Hickman, president and CEO of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, said it's always disappointing when a local business closes down.

& "Hardships present itself to the people losing their jobs as a result of the HEB-Albertsons transaction," Hickman said. "I know HEB is a good community partner with the Bryan-College Station area.

& They're involved with the community, and active in the Chamber of Commerce."

& The Albertsons on E. University Drive had 79 associates. All Albertsons employees will have the opportunity to interview for positions at HEB, but have no guarantee of continued employment. Christine Wilcox, public affairs director of Albertsons, said it's very disappointing to have the store close, along with the other two locations in Kerrville and New Braunfels.

& "We carefully evaluate each store independently," Wilcox said. "We work diligently to try every measure to turn the store around when the store isn't profitable. Unfortunately, it led to the closing of the East University Drive store."

& HEB committed a $4.5 million investment to the current Kerrville location to expand the store's parking lot and modify the store. Garza-Roberts said that all of the pharmacy prescriptions and records currently at Albertsons will be transferred to the HEB pharmacies in the Bryan-College Station locations.

& As for the future of Albertsons in the Texas region, Wilcox said Albertsons has no plans to leave Texas.

& "Albertsons has 74 great locations within Texas," Wilcox said. "Many of those stores are concentrated in the Dallas-Fort Worth complex. Albertsons has served the state of Texas for many years and will continue to serve the communities across Texas."

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