Mercedes Fresh Initiative

HEB Mercedes is executing a minor interior remodel at 209 N. Texas in Mercedes, Texas. The project, filed under the name Mercedes Fresh Initiative, involves a renovation of 210 square feet within the existing structure. The estimated cost for this specific scope of work is $264,605.

Construction is scheduled to finish in October 2026, with physical work beginning in August 2026. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation completed its plan review in June 2026, clearing the way for the upcoming construction phase. This timeline represents a 56-day build window, which is shorter than the county median of 92 days for similar renovation and alteration filings.

Project Scope and Financials

The filing describes the work as a minor interior remodel. The estimated cost of $264,605 places this project close to the median estimated cost of $250,000 for renovation and alteration projects in Hidalgo County. However, the cost per square foot is significantly higher than the county norm. At $1,260 per square foot, this figure is above the county median of $71 per square foot, reflecting the intensive nature of the work within a small footprint.

Absolute Design Partners serves as the registered design firm of record for this project. The registered accessibility specialist is Melvyn Archer. The project is privately funded and located on private land for private use. H E Butt Grocery Company has five other TDLR-registered projects in the state, including locations in Lampasas, Cleburne, Port Isabel, and Donna, with a combined value of $3,760,311.

Local Context

Mercedes is located in Hidalgo County, where the unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in July 2026. The ZIP code 78570 has a population of approximately 33,596 people, with a median household income of $39,890 according to U.S. Census estimates. The area is predominantly owner-occupied, with a median home value of $83,400. The area has 10,701 housing units.