Feature Photo: H-E-B officials during the ground breaking ceremony on March 4.
Posted: 3-17-2022
Austin (Travis County) – While the Nutty Brown Café & Amphitheatre is closed and the owner has relocated to a new site, its rich history will be on display at H-E-B’s newest store in west Austin.
Construction has officially started on the 103,000 square-foot H-E-B store, which will use building materials and showcase iconography and memorabilia from the iconic venue.
Thoughtfully crafted to fit in the fabric of the surrounding communities of Bear Creek, Cedar Valley and Dripping Springs, the location’s exterior design will embrace the Hill Country aesthetic.
Two entry towers and a large section of windows above the check stands area will allow for an abundance of natural light, and several native trees will be added to the landscape. And as with every new store, H-E-B will work to create a unique sense of place with an experience inspired by the story and spirit of the neighborhood.
“At H-E-B, we work hard to tailor our stores to create an experience that’s unique for our neighbors and customers,” said Cathy Harm, H-E-B group vice president Central Texas. “We are proud to be a part of this community, and it’s important to us that we do our part to preserve and showcase the heritage and history of such an iconic landmark.”
Throughout the store, H-E-B will incorporate materials such as red brick from the original brick oven used at Nutty Brown Foods, which served as a flour mill and candy store. The H-E-B design team has plans for a tribute wall that will serve as a beacon near the store’s entrance. To preserve and celebrate the venue’s 70-year history, the mural will include vintage photography and colorful iconography inspired by original signage such as the blue “welcome” awning and the Cowboy neon sign.
Mike Farr, the owner of Nutty Brown Café & Amphitheater, which operated as a music venue for more than two decades, gifted signed guitars from legendary Texas musicians who once graced the stage. The plan is for H-E-B to display and incorporate the memorabilia throughout the store.
H-E-B Group Vice President Central Texas Cathy Harm was presented a guitar by Mike Farr.
“It means a lot to me that H-E-B cares enough about the history at Nutty Brown and plans to pay homage to it in some way,” said Farr, whose new venue Round Rock Amp is set to open on April 2. “I value the way H-E-B has treated me and my business over the last several years. They’ve been amazing partners to work with. I live a few miles down the road, and it’s a surreal concept to think that a place I’ve walked into and owned for two decades is now where I’m going to buy milk and bread. But I’m excited to see it and excited to be a part of it.””
The thoughtfully designed H-E-B store will offer a world-class shopping experience with an emphasis on fresh, top-quality food options at H-E-B’s celebrated low prices. With expansive product assortment and several convenient services customers come to expect from H-E-B, other amenities will 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 large assortment of cheese and charcuterie
- Wine and Beer department with sampling stations and 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
- Fuel station and car wash
Edited from press release.
art@virtualbx.com
