The store is set to replace a long-vacant Albertsons at the corner of McKinney and Lemmon Avenues.
DALLAS — Central Market recently took another step toward building a long-awaited store in a vacant space in Uptown.
Texas-based Central Market, a division of H-E-B, confirmed a rezoning request has been filed to build the store at McKinney and Lemmon Avenues in Uptown. The former Albertsons space has sat vacant for years, and Central Market took assignment of the property lease in 2016.
The company says it plans to begin construction on the long-awaited 60,000-square-foot new store in 2026, after previously saying construction was expected to start in 2025.
“Uptown neighbors have requested a local Central Market for many years. We are committed to creating an exceptional food destination for Uptown residents, and we are excited to start the zoning process with the city of Dallas,” said Mabrie Jackson, Managing Director of H-E-B Public Affairs. “Our team appreciates the patience from our friends, neighbors and future shoppers as we pursue a path forward. We look forward to working closely with the neighborhood, city staff, the Plan Commissioner and Council member to make the long-awaited store a reality.”
Developers broke ground on a mixed-use development to be anchored by a Central Market in the space in 2022, as the Dallas Business Journal reported, but construction on the store has been on hold since 2023, amid complications caused “by a softer post-COVID commercial market,” the company says.
Late last year, Central Market released plans for the design of a standalone store, which is set to involve the complete renovation of the building. The new store is expected to have expanded parking on two levels, an open-concept cooking school, and a stage for live music in the cafe area.
Previous visions for the site have included a potential $295 million high-rise development from KDC Real Estate Development & Investments, as our content partners at the Dallas Business Journal have reported.
Central Market first opened in Austin in 1994 and now has 10 locations across Texas, including in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano, and Southlake.