A year from now, the Texas A&M west campus will have a grocery store.

Groundbreaking took place Thursday morning in front of Park West apartments, across George Bush Drive from the new track stadium, on a new Brookshire Brothers market.

A&M system chancellor John Sharp told those attending "I promise you this is going to be the most successful Brookshire Brothers store that you ever dreamed of".

The Lufkin based employee-owned company has more than 100 locations from western Louisiana to the Texas hill country. The company has grocery stores in all counties surrounding Bryan/College Station, but this is the first in Brazos County.

After hearing the chancellor's promise, Brookshire Brothers president and CEO John Alston told WTAW News "that gives us an extra level of confidence, absolutely."

Alston says the store, which will feature exterior architecture in the design of Kyle Field, will employ 100 to 125 people.

Sharp says the system's ground lease with Brookshire Brothers means property taxes will be paid, similar to the system's agreement with the owners of Century Square.

Alston says the 40,000 square foot store will include the most robust prepared food line and the largest beer selection in the entire company.

The store will have an expanded health and wellness section with a full service pharmacy that will also offer immunizations and at-home testing for flu, urinary tract infections, and strep.

The store will have a coffee shop accommodating 75 people inside along with outside seating.

The property will also have an outdoor concert venue similar to its location in Canyon Lake. The venue will have a concession area and will offer beer on tap and wine by the glass.

Alston, who is a Texas A&M graduate, says the store will also have an Aggie fan shop.

The store will offer curbside pickup and delivery, fuel and a bakery.

This podcast is the groundbreaking program, which is hosted by Texas A&M system vice chancellor for business affairs Phillip Ray. Other speakers are system chancellor John Sharp, state representatives Trent Ashby of Lufkin and Kyle Kacal of College Station, and Brookshire Brothers president/CEO John Alston.