Attention, shoppers

Long-awaited Kroger Marketplace ready for big debut in Little Elm

Kroger will open in Little Elm on July 31.

Photo courtesy of Kroger

After nearly two years in the making, Kroger's new Marketplace store in Little Elm is finally ready to debut. The grocery chain has set Friday, July 31 as the opening date of its 123,000-square-foot store at 26587 E. University Dr.

According to a release, the store is a nearly $40 million project that will bring about 200 jobs and serve the rapidly growing communities of Little Elm, Aubrey, Providence Village, and beyond.

Announced in 2024, the new location is Kroger's first Marketplace-format store to open in North Texas this year. In addition to a full-service grocery with produce, meat and seafood, floral, and pharmacy departments, the expanded concept includes home goods, apparel, toys, and other general merchandise.

Shoppers also will find specialty features such as a Murray's Cheese counter, a fresh-cut fruit kiosk, and a fuel center with 14 pumps plus a grab-and-go kiosk for snacks and beverages.

"This new Marketplace store reflects Kroger's long-term commitment to serving families who are putting down roots and building their future in one of the fastest-growing areas of North Texas," said Rudy DiPietro, president of Kroger's Texas Division, in a statement.

The grand opening begins at 6 am on July 31, when the first shoppers through the doors will receive prizes, gift cards, and coupons for free breakfast items. Kroger also will offer grand opening discounts through August 4, including 30 cents off per gallon for Kroger Rewards members at the fuel center during the weekends of July 31-August 2 and August 7-9.

The Little Elm location is Kroger's 208th store in Texas. Targeting the fast-growing suburbs north of Dallas, the grocer also has new stores under construction in Anna, Fate, McKinney, Princeton, as well as the Sendera Ranch community in north Fort Worth.

little elm openings supermarkets grocery stores kroger

State Fair Fare

State Fair of Texas reveals 4 winners of 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards

Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas

Berry Me in Matcha cheesecake, winner for Most Creative at the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards.

After a lengthy session on August 18 involving about 30 celebrity judges, the State Fair of Texas has officially unveiled the winners of its 22nd annual Big Tex Choice Awards.

The judges (include CultureMap's Alex Bentley) tasted and evaluated sample sizes of 15 finalists, five each from the categories of "Savory," "Sweet," and "Sipper." Each of the winners were evaluated on four criteria: Taste, Value for the Price, Presentation, and Creativity.

Without further delay, here are the big winners, with photos, descriptions, and prices of each creation to help you make your Fair food plan:

Best Taste - Savory: Burger Chop Tater Tacos by Tom Grace

Burger Chop Tater Tacos, winner of the Savory category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards.Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas

The tacos feature a shell of cheddar cheese and tater tots that are mashed together and fried. It is then filled with a fresh burger patty chopped and combined with sautéed onions and jalapeños, and topped by buffalo buttermilk ranch coleslaw and garlic parmesan buffalo sauce.

The Burger Chop Tater Tacos will be available for $16 for fairgoers.

Best Taste - Sweet: Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog by Beck Fletcher

Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog, winner of the Sweet category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice AwardsPhoto courtesy of State Fair of Texas

The Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog consists of milk chocolate fudge hand dipped in Fletcher’s famous Original Corny Dog batter and deep fried until golden perfection. It is topped with a drizzle of yellow vanilla icing (meant to mimic mustard) and served with raspberry compote (meant to mimic ketchup).

The Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog will be the deal among the winners, priced at only $7.

Best Taste - Sipper: Tropical Coco Fresca by Fruteria Cano

Tropical Coca Fresca, winner of the Sippers category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice AwardsPhoto courtesy of State Fair of Texas

The Tropical Coco Fresca is a layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with chamoy lava Tajin rim, paired with a scoop of icy coconut snow that melts into a creamy tropical explosion of flavors. The drink will go for $12.

Most Creative: Berry Me in Matcha by Stephen El Gidi (pictured, above).

The sweet treat features a New York-style cheesecake hand-dipped in Belgian white chocolate, rolled in crushed matcha cookies, drizzled with white chocolate and sweet strawberry jam, and finished with a fresh strawberry slice on top.

Priced at a relatively expensive $15, it may be the sweet indulgence that fairgoers choose to share.

The State Fair of Texas will run September 25-October 18, giving people plenty of time to try out these winners and the multitude of other food options the event has to offer.

state fair of texas desserts drinks food-drink