(Drippings Springs, New Braunfels) - Two new H-E-B grocery stores have broken ground in the area. One is a 68,000-sf location in Dripping Springs (Austin area) and the second is an 88,000-sf store in New Braunfels (San Antonio area).

The Dripping Springs store, at the southeast corner of US 290 and Rob Shelton Blvd., will have H-E-B brands and the chain’s Central Market products. The supermarket will be part of Dripping Springs’ largest commercial development, a 55-acre Barshop & Oles project that includes a Home Depot and bank offices.

The New Braunfels store is part of Barshop & Oles development WestPointe Village. Construction started on the center, at Texas 46 and Loop 33. It will be H-E-B’s second store in New Braunfels, which is in an area that is experiencing rapid growth.

In addition to H-E-B, the New Braunfels center will have 36,000 sf of retail in two buildings, plus pad sites for retailers and restaurants.

According to the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, more than 600 commercial permits were filed in the city year-to-date.

Michael Meek, the chamber’s president, said job growth is positive, unemployment is low and hotel construction is “off the chart,” with 20 percent being added to the existing inventory.