H-E-B captures 110-year heritage in 12 words
SAN ANTONIO - This year H-E-B celebrates 110 years of service to the great state of Texas. "Ever since we opened our first store in 1905, one thing has remained the same ‑ our commitment to the partners and communities we serve," H-E-B stated on its website recently. "Throughout 2015, we're celebrating our 110th anniversary with a series of individual words that represents the culture at H‑E‑B. In May, our feature is on 'Education.'"
The H‑E‑B Excellence in Education Awards each year gives more than $800,000 to teachers, principals, school districts, school boards and early childhood facilities. In addition, H-E-B supports education through Read 3. This early childhood literacy program has collected close to 3 million books since 2011. From the classroom to the community, we proudly answer the call by giving back over $8 million annually to Texas education.
On Nov. 26, 1905, Florence Butt opened the C.C. Butt Grocery Store with her savings of $60. For $9 a month, she leased the 450‑square‑foot store on the ground floor of a small frame building on Main Street in Kerrville, Texas. Sales were $50.60 in the first month. The store would later become H-E-B, named for her son HOward Edward Butt.
In April, H-E-B focused on "Dedication," in recognition of Howard Butt. Having managed the first store in Kerrville while in high school, he took the reins of the C.C. Butt Grocery store in 1919 after serving in the Navy during World War I, H-E-B noted. "Determined to make H‑E‑B a success, in 1924 Howard gambled on expansion and opened stores in Center Point, Junction, Brady and Brownwood, all of which would fail. However, he didn't let that setback stop him. In 1926, he finally opened a second successful store in Del Rio," H-E-B stated on its web page.
H-E-B kicked off its focus on the word "Destination" in March with a five-month celebration tour across the state. According to the company, over 6,200 truck drivers travel more than 1.2 million miles a week for H‑E‑B. Last year, they drove over 64 million miles, making over 11,500 weekly deliveries.
The kickoff celebration was held in Kerrville, Texas, home to the first H-E-B. Celebrations are being held in 14 cities through July in the order in which H‑E‑B originally entered each market. Each celebration will feature a press conference and the presentation of a proclamation by an elected city official recognizing H‑E‑B for 110 years of service.
"Since our humble beginnings, H‑E‑B has remained dedicated to making the lives of Texans better by providing an exceptional shopping experience and quality products and services at affordable prices," said Craig Boyan, president of H‑E‑B. "It is because of the longstanding relationships we share with our amazing Partners (employees) and our loyal customers that we are able to celebrate 110 years in business, and we hope to celebrate hundreds more to come."
In February. the H-E-B word of the month was "Passion." H‑E‑B's employees put in over 100,000 volunteer hours last year, from the grocer's Feast Of Sharing dinners that celebrate the holidays with more than 250,000 free meals served annually, to its Read 3 book drive that put nearly 3 million books back into the community since 2011.
In January, H-E-B started its year-long celebration of its 110th anniverary with the word "Appreciation." "As we celebrate our 110th anniversary, we want to thank our fellow Texans who helped make this milestone possible. We are truly grateful for our customers who choose H‑E‑B for their families' needs. And we appreciate all of our Partners who go the extra mile to make our customers feel at home. Because of you, we are able to serve Texas with pride," the company stated.