[Geckos_Rule]

Back on the topic at hand, I really hope that in this or whatever development ends up being realized here keeps the grocery store space.

25,000 sq ft isn't huge for a grocery store, but IIRC, that's about the same size as both the Whole Foods and the Target at Plaza Saltillo (individually, not combined), and about double the size of the downtown Trader Joes.

It's pretty tough to imagine Whole Foods having any interest in opening something here, given how close the flagship location and Plaza Saltillo locations are, and the relative lack of locations anywhere else in central Austin. Same with Trader Joes' Seaholm location, as well as HEB, given that this spot is extremely close to the new Soco/Oltorf spot, and is still within 10-12 minutes of their locations on Lake Austin blvd, 7th Street, and Riverside.

IMO, there are four potential things this could end up as (ranked by how much I'd want them):

1. A Central Market, which is obviously still owned by HEB but serves a different purpose and customer base. I'm probably biased because I love CM, but it's not too easy to get to either the 38th or S Lamar locations from downtown.

2. An Aldi, of which there are plenty in Dallas/Houston but none in Austin. I'm not too familiar with them, but I believe they are typically a smaller footprint (about this size) compared to HEB and others.

3. Eataly, given the fact that it's shown in the video (though it could be a placeholder), and are usually right around this size (the ones in Dallas being even larger). They also seem to regularly go for more central locations within larger developments. And, it also seems to fit in terms of the market, both because Austin lacks the amount of Italian specialty places that many other cities have (CM being the closest thing), and because they are typically pretty fancy which fits for what's likely to be pretty expensive rent.

4. Some other store I'm not as familiar with, some new concept from an existing store (e.g., a sort of HEB equivalent of whole foods 365), or just a Target or some other psuedo-grocery/general purpose store.