Westwood Square Community Witnesses Notable Improvements in Local Las Palmas H-E-B
SLAT, San Antonio – Positive changes sweep across the Westwood Square community as they witness a significant transformation in their local H-E-B supermarket located in Las Palmas.
Noteworthy changes have caught the attention of the residents, and the community at large, highlighting that even “a small district does have a voice and needs,” as Jesusita Rios, a local resident, stresses.
Traffic improvements and infrastructure repair
In recent months, the community has witnessed developments, including advancement in traffic management and the removal of a damaged pedestrian bridge. These improvements have instilled optimism among the residents who were seeking these critical changes.
Positive Shifts at Las Palmas H-E-B
However, incremental changes are being detected not just on a structural level but also within the confines of their local H-E-B. “It’s baby steps, but we’re getting there,” notes Rios, reflecting on the progress.
Just a few months ago, residents had highlighted several grievances regarding food past its best-use-by date, empty shelves, and even structural dilapidation at the Las Palmas H-E-B locale.
Rios explains, “At the point when we first got in touch, we were just at our ropes end. There was so much going on as far as product availability plus expiration, plus the cleanliness of the store and the way it was very crowded and the displays in themselves, they were not appealing at all.”
The USDA Guidelines and H-E-B’s Response
The USDA’s classifications for the freshness and safety of food products use terms such as “best if used by/before,” “sell-by” and “use-by,” established to ensure the quality of food products. Such concerns over food safety were brought up with H-E-B, sparking inquiries into the supermarket’s handling of expiration dates and food product quality.
Following these concerns, Lucio, a spokesperson for H-E-B, issued a statement, highlighting that the Las Palmas store was set to undergo renovations and improvements — though no specific timeline was provided.
Fast forward six months, the Westwood Square community reports positive changes within the supermarket. “The displays are more appealing. They are keeping to the expiration dates being seen,” Rios said. “It looks cleaner. It looks more welcoming. There is a lot still to be desired, though.”
Need for More Communication
Despite the progress, the Westwood Square Neighborhood Association President, Velma Pena, believes there is a need for more conversation between the store and the community. “This is a tight-knit community,” Pena stated, highlighting the importance of the supermarket in the daily lives of the residents.
In conclusion, improvements at the H-E-B Las Palmas location have sparked a wave of positivity within the Westwood Square community, but the residents still hope for more collaboration. H-E-B management encourages any customers with concerns on store improvement or product stocking to reach out directly.
About the Authors
Avery Everett is a news reporter and multimedia journalist at a renowned news outlet. As a Philadelphia native drawn to outdoor activities, Avery is also a food enthusiast on a quest to experience San Antonio’s rich culinary culture.
Gavin Nesbitt is an experienced photojournalist and video editor who joined the team in September 2021. Gavin’s top-notch journalism career spans major news including presidential campaigns, Texas border coverage, and local stories essential to his viewers.
