In 1992, Charles Butt acquired a special piece of property on the corner of 38 1/2 and Lamar in Austin, Texas. His goal? Build a destination market that would turn grocery shopping into an enjoyable experience by providing unparalleled food products and customer service. He turned to John Campbell, whose 30-year career at H-E-B began as a store checker, to make it all happen. Campbell's quest to create a different kind of grocery store took him to the world's finest markets for inspiration. On his journey, he had an epiphany. Rather than carry products that customers could find almost anywhere, he decided Central Market would feature a wide array of foods never before offered in Texas. H-E-B opened the first Central Market in Austin in 1994. The European-style fresh market concept amazed shoppers and chefs alike, and the store quickly became one of Austin's most popular destinations. In fact, it boasts an average of 2 million visitors each year! After years of witnessing customers drive hundreds of miles to stock up on fantastic food finds at the original Central Market, H-E-B decided to bring the Central Market experience to San Antonio, Houston and a second location in Austin. By 2002, Central Market had added three more stores in Dallas, Plano and Fort Worth, each one a fun and unique addition to the Central Market family. In 2006, the eighth Central Market opened in Southlake, increasing the company's presence in North Texas. Each debut of a Central Market location has attracted national attention for its innovative grocery experience that brings a 'must-have' quality-of-life enhancement for food lovers.   Added on June 14, 2011