H-E-B on Nov. 11 opened its first store in Montgomery, bringing the grocer that’s synonymous with Texas to the city credited as the birthplace of the Texas flag.

Put in perspective: H-E-B’s long-anticipated opening in Montgomery came with fervor and celebration from the community Wednesday morning. People began lining up as early as 10 p.m. the night before, according to the company, and more than 900 customers were ushered into the store with festivity at the 6 a.m. grand opening.

Staying local: The location pays tribute to Montgomery as the birthplace of the Texas flag. Inside the store, a mural recognizes Dr. Charles B. Stewart as the man credited with designing the first draft of the Texas state flag. Outside the store, a 150-foot flagpole flying a 60-foot Texas flag was erected on a limestone base in the shape of Texas.

H-E-B has hired 400 employees for the store. H-E-B has 460 stores across Texas and Mexico with more than 175,000 employees, according to the company.

Two-minute impact: The beauty supply store Ulta Beauty has officially opened a new store location in Willis. The new store is located at The Market inside the Willis Shopping Center. The project was a $621,000 buildout for which construction began on Aug. 3, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Ulta Beauty offers a wide range of beauty services, including:

• brow waxing

• self-care wellness kits

• select skin services

Alongside these services, the store contains numerous cosmetic, hair and skin care brands for its customers. The grand opening for the new location is scheduled for Nov. 13-15.

JCPenney confirmed in an email that its store location at The Woodlands Mall will close on Feb. 21. A spokesperson stated that the company was unable to continue its current lease terms for the location and could not find another suitable location in the market.

The context: A filing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation submitted in November shows Ikea Property, Inc. as the project owner for an $18 million project at the mall. This project is in the space currently occupied by JCPenney, which is located at 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Ste. 500, The Woodlands.

From local churches to statewide traditions, see which organizations are collecting donations to feed Houstonians this holiday season. This list is subject to change and not comprehensive.

Participating organizations:

• Cy-Fair Helping Hands

• St. John Vianney Catholic Church

• Prince of Peace’s Thanksgiving Loaves & Fishes

• 14th Annual Fifth Ward Fall Festival & Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

• Keep US Fed Montgomery County

• City Wide Club and CW 39 Super Feast

• Operation Turkey

• Montgomery County Food Bank

• East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry