Grocery & Shopping Guide — Waco Metro Area¶
H-E-B — The Essential Texas Grocer¶
H-E-B is the dominant grocery chain in Texas and a cultural institution. Most Texans plan their neighborhood choice partly around HEB proximity. Waco has strong HEB coverage with three locations including two HEB Plus! (larger format with more departments).
| Store | Address | Hours | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19th & Meridian H-E-B | 3801 N 19th St, Waco, TX 76708 | Daily 6am–11pm | Pharmacy, meat & seafood market, gas station |
| Wooded Acres H-E-B | 1301 Wooded Acres Dr, Waco, TX 76710 | Daily 6am–11pm | Pharmacy, tortilleria, curbside pickup, delivery |
| Valley Mills H-E-B Plus! | 1821 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76711 | Mon–Fri 8am–10pm; Sat 9am–7pm; Sun 9am–6pm | Pharmacy, gas station & car wash, curbside, delivery |
All HEB locations offer curbside pickup and home delivery. HEB's pharmacy is often the most affordable option for prescriptions.
Tip for newcomers: HEB is beloved in Texas for its quality, store-brand products (H-E-B brand and Central Market Co. brand), and Texas-specific items. Many residents say HEB is one of the things they miss most when they leave Texas.
Walmart¶
| Store | Address | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Supercenter (Richland Hills area) | 4320 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76710 | (254) 751-0464 | Supercenter; pharmacy, auto center |
| Walmart Supercenter (West Waco / Hewitt) | 600 Hewitt Dr, Waco, TX 76712 | (254) 666-9021 | Supercenter; pharmacy; convenient for Hewitt/Woodway residents |
Sam's Club¶
- Address: 2301 E Waco Dr, Waco, TX 76705
- Phone: (254) 799-2408
- Notes: Membership warehouse club. Only Sam's Club in the metro.
Costco¶
There is no Costco in the Waco metro. Nearest locations: - Temple, TX — ~35 miles south on I-35 - Waxahachie, TX — ~65 miles north on I-35 (DFW area)
Many Waco residents maintain Costco memberships and make monthly trips. Sam's Club at 2301 E Waco Dr is the primary local warehouse alternative.
Other Grocery Options¶
| Store | Address / Notes |
|---|---|
| ALDI | Waco location(s); deep-discount grocery; limited selection but excellent prices |
| Natural Grocers | Waco location; organic and natural foods focus |
| Homestead Market | Local specialty grocer |
| United Supermarkets | Regional Texas chain; Hewitt location (United Super IGA) at 906 N Hewitt Dr |
Kroger, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's do not have locations in the Waco metro. Nearest Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are in Austin (~100 miles) or DFW (~100 miles).
Specialty & International Markets¶
- Hispanic / Latino Grocers — Several in South Waco and along the I-35 corridor; La Michoacana Meat Market and similar stores carry authentic Latin ingredients, fresh tortillas, and specialty cuts
- Asian Markets — Limited options in Waco proper; check Yelp for current listings
- Halal Grocers — Small halal markets exist in Waco; search Google Maps for current options given frequent turnover
Farmers Markets¶
Waco Downtown Farmers Market¶
- Address: 200 E Bridge St, Waco, TX 76701 (near the Suspension Bridge / Magnolia area)
- Days: Saturdays, year-round
- Hours: Morning hours; verify current times at wacodowntownfarmersmarket.com
- Features: Local produce (within 150-mile radius), artisan vendors, local food vendors, live music
Carleen Bright Arboretum — Woodway¶
- The arboretum (9001 Bosque Blvd, Woodway) hosts seasonal markets and community events; check City of Woodway events calendar
Major Shopping Centers¶
Central Texas Marketplace¶
- Location: W Loop 340 / Franklin Ave corridor, Waco
- Size: 115+ stores
- Anchors & Notable Tenants: Target, Best Buy, Bath & Body Works, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and national chain restaurants
- Notes: Primary big-box and national retail hub for the metro; most major chains are represented here
Richland Mall¶
- Location: 6001 W Waco Dr, Waco, TX 76710
- Size: 95+ stores
- Anchors: JCPenney, Dillard's, H&M, Victoria's Secret, Hollister
- Notes: Traditional enclosed mall; has seen some vacancy but remains the main enclosed mall in the market
Hewitt / Panther Way Corridor¶
- Growing retail strip along Hewitt Dr and Panther Way in Hewitt
- Tenants include Baylor Scott & White clinic, national restaurants, and neighborhood retail
- Convenient for Hewitt, Woodway, and SW Waco residents
Home Improvement & Hardware¶
| Store | Location |
|---|---|
| Home Depot | Waco (multiple); verify current locations at homedepot.com |
| Lowe's | Waco; verify at lowes.com |
| Tractor Supply Co. | Waco and outlying towns (McGregor, West, Hillsboro) |
| Atwoods | 209 N Hewitt Dr, Hewitt — farm, ranch, home goods |