LUBBOCK, Texas — It’s official. HEB announced Wednesday at about 10:30 a.m. it will build a long-anticipated store in Lubbock – specifically at 114th Street and Quaker Avenue. The opening date is scheduled for late 2020.

The announcement came while HEB officials were making a donation to the South Plains Food Bank.

Scott McClelland with HEB said the move to Lubbock was the company’s “worst kept secret.”

Artist rendering of HEB store in Lubbock from HEB website

“It’s true!” McClelland said. “The wait is over. And I’m happy to say HEB is coming to Lubbock.”

WATCH REPLAY: the announcement from HEB at the South Plains Food Bank in Lubbock

RELATED STORY: HEB bringing big donation to Lubbock on Wednesday

“It’s been a long time coming,” Juan Carlos Ruck, the Senior Vice President of HEB’s Food & Drug Division, said. “It’s going to be important we enter this market in a way that shows how much the love and respect we have for it.”

“Our current goal is to open the doors at the 114th Street and Quaker location of a 120,000 square foot store in late 2020. We’re pulling out all the stops for this first store in Lubbock.”

It has been known for several years that HEB owns, and has owned, land in Southwest Lubbock. But no confirmed plans had ever been announced.

That is, until now.

RELATED STORY: Is HEB coming to Lubbock? Well, here’s what HEB says

Back in June, Lubbock City Councilman Steve Massengale mentioned HEB when discussing the growth in Southwest Lubbock.

“And of course, HEB right there at the corner of 114th and Quaker — they’ve announced they own that property,” he said. “From what I understand they would be here by 2020 or 2021.”

RELATED STORY: HEB Update: Councilman Massengale says “our understanding” they’re coming

Plans had been publicized by a local website for HEB to locate in the South Plains Mall. But that proposal never worked out and is off the table according to multiple sources.

RELATED STORY: HEB gives back to the community it will soon serve

Here is a press release from H-E-B issued on Wednesday:

H-E-B has unveiled plans to open its first store in Lubbock next year, continuing its expansion into West Texas. Set to open its doors in late 2020, the more than 120,000-square-foot store, which will be located at 114th and Quaker, will be a shopping destination with a top-quality product assortment – available at H-E-B’s celebrated low prices. At the Lubbock store, customers will find all the signature features and conveniences they expect from H-E-B, with many new and expanded product selections. Some distinctive features to mention include H-E-B Curbside, a fuel station with car wash, a Texas Tech collegiate shop, which will be fully stocked with licensed Texas Tech apparel and accessories, and a True Texas BBQ, H-E-B’s lauded barbecue restaurant. Construction is set to begin early next year. Earlier today, H-E-B announced the news at an event in Lubbock, which was attended by local elected officials and several other community stakeholders. H-E-B also made a donation of two truckloads of food to the South Plains Food Bank as well as four additional $25,000 gifts to local nonprofit organizations.

On Wednesday, the following statement was released by United Supermarkets:

“United Supermarkets has been part of the fabric of West Texas since we opened our first store in the area more than 70 years ago. Our Team Members have done a great job providing high quality products and superior service to build long-term relationships with our guests. We’ve been investing in the communities we serve for generations, and we look forward to being part of family traditions for generations to come.”