Port Arthur brings H-E-B to church

PORT ARTHUR – H-E-B has acquired Port Arthur’s First Baptist Church, which the company will tear down to make way for a new store at 5000 Gulfway Dr. The new store, to be situated on 6.531 acres, will total 52,000 sf, according to Cyndy Garza-Roberts, H-E-B director of communications.

H-E-B is expected to take possession of the church building in February 2014, after church members have moved out of their longtime home.

Starting Jan. 5, First Baptist Church members will share space with Procter Street Baptist Church. Both congregations will worship in the same building, but at different times.

Another H-E-B location at 4800 FM 365 has been expanded from 54,000 sf to 82,000 sf with the acquisition of space that formerly housed Hollywood Video. Other area locations include 3401 Gulfway Dr. in Port Arthur, and 5000 32nd St. in Groves.

Read more at the Port Arthur News.

Listen to Podcast 198 for this story for even more news from Bryan and Edie.