Not a meme here (and slightly OT), but Wegmans had by far the best produce selection in Syracuse. Better than Price Chopper, though Chopper had better meat.
Quote from: froggie on June 14, 2015, 07:45:02 AM
Not a meme here (and slightly OT), but Wegmans had by far the best produce selection in Syracuse. Better than Price Chopper, though Chopper had better meat.
Same in Buffalo. Elsewhere has better meat and selection of name-brand products, but can't beat the produce, prepared foods, and prices.
I went to Wegmans yesterday and continued to confirm what I have learned there: the further from the entrance, the worse the deal. Great loss leaders, in other words, but overall high prices.
In this area they seem to be locating in luxury retail complexes, though, so price must not really be the object for their core shoppers.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 14, 2015, 11:10:18 AM
I went to Wegmans yesterday and continued to confirm what I have learned there: the further from the entrance, the worse the deal. Great loss leaders, in other words, but overall high prices.
In this area they seem to be locating in luxury retail complexes, though, so price must not really be the object for their core shoppers.
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations. Wegmans does not really do sales, yet this means that buying stuff elsewhere is cheaper if there's a sale.
Honestly, I do most of my shopping (everything but meat and produce) at Walmart because of the cost. I go to Wegmans when I need produce or certain types of meat, while one of the other local places gets my business if I'm getting beef or sausage because other places make it that day. I
loathe Tops, yet some of their sales (such as the "meal deals" where buying a pack of meat gets you 10 items for free) bring prices well below everywhere else.
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 14, 2015, 11:10:18 AM
I went to Wegmans yesterday and continued to confirm what I have learned there: the further from the entrance, the worse the deal. Great loss leaders, in other words, but overall high prices.
In this area they seem to be locating in luxury retail complexes, though, so price must not really be the object for their core shoppers.
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations. Wegmans does not really do sales, yet this means that buying stuff elsewhere is cheaper if there's a sale.
Honestly, I do most of my shopping (everything but meat and produce) at Walmart because of the cost. I go to Wegmans when I need produce or certain types of meat, while one of the other local places gets my business if I'm getting beef or sausage because other places make it that day. I loathe Tops, yet some of their sales (such as the "meal deals" where buying a pack of meat gets you 10 items for free) bring prices well below everywhere else.
The "beef" I have with them is that they have been doing their own branding for awhile now. Instead of other brands of bread or cereal they will introduce more Wegmans branded bread and cereal. The fresh items are great though. I will say I have shopped there my entire life (and would frequent their daycare), but I could drop them in a heartbeat for Tops.
When Whole Foods opens on Sheridan it will be a madhouse. LOS F 24/7.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 12:25:36 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 14, 2015, 11:10:18 AM
I went to Wegmans yesterday and continued to confirm what I have learned there: the further from the entrance, the worse the deal. Great loss leaders, in other words, but overall high prices.
In this area they seem to be locating in luxury retail complexes, though, so price must not really be the object for their core shoppers.
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations. Wegmans does not really do sales, yet this means that buying stuff elsewhere is cheaper if there's a sale.
Honestly, I do most of my shopping (everything but meat and produce) at Walmart because of the cost. I go to Wegmans when I need produce or certain types of meat, while one of the other local places gets my business if I'm getting beef or sausage because other places make it that day. I loathe Tops, yet some of their sales (such as the "meal deals" where buying a pack of meat gets you 10 items for free) bring prices well below everywhere else.
The "beef" I have with them is that they have been doing their own branding for awhile now. Instead of other brands of bread or cereal they will introduce more Wegmans branded bread and cereal. The fresh items are great though. I will say I have shopped there my entire life (and would frequent their daycare), but I could drop them in a heartbeat for Tops.
When Whole Foods opens on Sheridan it will be a madhouse. LOS F 24/7.
I'll be out of here before it opens. Whole Foods is a level above everything else in the area. Orchard Fresh is the closest. Prepared foods are probably best in the industry and they carry a lot of stuff nobody else stocks. People around here think Wegmans is the same as Whole Foods. Not even close. My family did some of our shopping there when we lived in Ohio.
Few places get the prepared foods business Whole Foods gets. Think Wegmans offers a lot of prepared foods? Whole Foods probably offers three times as much and it's all-natural..
Wegmans finally coming to NYC! Specifically the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
I wish we had Wegmans in the Albany area. Market Bistro is Price Chopper's attempt to clone one, but other than general look/feel (which will soon be coming to all stores as part of the Market 32 rebranding), it's just not the same. For one thing, they're still half the size of a modern Wegmans, don't carry Wegmans brand items (which I love, especially the ketchup and sandwich meat), don't have the Wegmans bakery (OK, that's probably a good thing for my waistline), and a zillion other things; the only other differences from a regular Price Chopper are the prepared foods, better customer service (coming to other stores soon via Market 32), and the doctor located next to the pharmacy (which strikes me as a bit of a gimmick; who goes to the grocery store when they're sick and need a doctor?).
I was in a Whole Foods once when hanging out with a co-worker and her friend after work once. They have an AWESOME prepared foods section that yes, does beat Wegmans. The bakery is nothing to sneeze at either. Their prices are high, though, and you definitely need at least some cooking ability since they don't stock processed foods (which is kinda their business model, so not surprising). They also have venus fly traps in the plant area.
Quote from: vdeane on June 14, 2015, 05:10:07 PM
I wish we had Wegmans in the Albany area. Market Bistro is Price Chopper's attempt to clone one, but other than general look/feel (which will soon be coming to all stores as part of the Market 32 rebranding), it's just not the same. For one thing, they're still half the size of a modern Wegmans, don't carry Wegmans brand items (which I love, especially the ketchup and sandwich meat), don't have the Wegmans bakery (OK, that's probably a good thing for my waistline), and a zillion other things; the only other differences from a regular Price Chopper are the prepared foods, better customer service (coming to other stores soon via Market 32), and the doctor located next to the pharmacy (which strikes me as a bit of a gimmick; who goes to the grocery store when they're sick and need a doctor?).
I was in a Whole Foods once when hanging out with a co-worker and her friend after work once. They have an AWESOME prepared foods section that yes, does beat Wegmans. The bakery is nothing to sneeze at either. Their prices are high, though, and you definitely need at least some cooking ability since they don't stock processed foods (which is kinda their business model, so not surprising). They also have venus fly traps in the plant area.
I wish Utica had a Wegmans or Whole Foods. Binghamton has Wegmans. The area used to get a bad rep, but with our college merger and Utica College/MVCC there are no shortage of students who want that kind of fresh food. Plus, Utica is one of the only cities that gained population in the 2010 census, so at least it can say it grew. Nobody like Produce Crappy, even with their new rebranding efforts.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 05:14:04 PM
Plus, Utica is one of the only cities that gained population in the 2010 census
Are you sure? The state as a whole grew from 2000 to 2010.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 05:14:04 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 14, 2015, 05:10:07 PM
I wish we had Wegmans in the Albany area. Market Bistro is Price Chopper's attempt to clone one, but other than general look/feel (which will soon be coming to all stores as part of the Market 32 rebranding), it's just not the same. For one thing, they're still half the size of a modern Wegmans, don't carry Wegmans brand items (which I love, especially the ketchup and sandwich meat), don't have the Wegmans bakery (OK, that's probably a good thing for my waistline), and a zillion other things; the only other differences from a regular Price Chopper are the prepared foods, better customer service (coming to other stores soon via Market 32), and the doctor located next to the pharmacy (which strikes me as a bit of a gimmick; who goes to the grocery store when they're sick and need a doctor?).
I was in a Whole Foods once when hanging out with a co-worker and her friend after work once. They have an AWESOME prepared foods section that yes, does beat Wegmans. The bakery is nothing to sneeze at either. Their prices are high, though, and you definitely need at least some cooking ability since they don't stock processed foods (which is kinda their business model, so not surprising). They also have venus fly traps in the plant area.
I wish Utica had a Wegmans or Whole Foods. Binghamton has Wegmans. The area used to get a bad rep, but with our college merger and Utica College/MVCC there are no shortage of students who want that kind of fresh food. Plus, Utica is one of the only cities that gained population in the 2010 census, so at least it can say it grew. Nobody like Produce Crappy, even with their new rebranding efforts.
Word on the street is that Wegmans will never come to Utica because there is a "gentleman's agreement" between Wegmans and Price Chopper that Utica is no man's land for Wegmans. We're stuck with the crap that's here.
Quote from: 1 on June 14, 2015, 05:21:02 PM
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 05:14:04 PM
Plus, Utica is one of the only cities that gained population in the 2010 census
Are you sure? The state as a whole grew from 2000 to 2010.
I could be wrong, but I know the Wikipedia page (which I've edited) says there was a 2.6% increase.
Quote from: upstatenyroads on June 14, 2015, 08:08:50 PM
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 05:14:04 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 14, 2015, 05:10:07 PM
I wish we had Wegmans in the Albany area. Market Bistro is Price Chopper's attempt to clone one, but other than general look/feel (which will soon be coming to all stores as part of the Market 32 rebranding), it's just not the same. For one thing, they're still half the size of a modern Wegmans, don't carry Wegmans brand items (which I love, especially the ketchup and sandwich meat), don't have the Wegmans bakery (OK, that's probably a good thing for my waistline), and a zillion other things; the only other differences from a regular Price Chopper are the prepared foods, better customer service (coming to other stores soon via Market 32), and the doctor located next to the pharmacy (which strikes me as a bit of a gimmick; who goes to the grocery store when they're sick and need a doctor?).
I was in a Whole Foods once when hanging out with a co-worker and her friend after work once. They have an AWESOME prepared foods section that yes, does beat Wegmans. The bakery is nothing to sneeze at either. Their prices are high, though, and you definitely need at least some cooking ability since they don't stock processed foods (which is kinda their business model, so not surprising). They also have venus fly traps in the plant area.
I wish Utica had a Wegmans or Whole Foods. Binghamton has Wegmans. The area used to get a bad rep, but with our college merger and Utica College/MVCC there are no shortage of students who want that kind of fresh food. Plus, Utica is one of the only cities that gained population in the 2010 census, so at least it can say it grew. Nobody like Produce Crappy, even with their new rebranding efforts.
Word on the street is that Wegmans will never come to Utica because there is a "gentleman's agreement" between Wegmans and Price Chopper that Utica is no man's land for Wegmans. We're stuck with the crap that's here.
I've heard that too. It's pretty silly, but I think a similar theory existed between Wegmans and Whole Foods in Buffalo and now Whole Foods is moving in.
Is there any way that I can arrange with some of you all to fedex me some frozen 16oz Hella-VA-Good french onion dip packages?
Quote from: upstatenyroads on June 14, 2015, 08:08:50 PM
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 05:14:04 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 14, 2015, 05:10:07 PM
I wish we had Wegmans in the Albany area. Market Bistro is Price Chopper's attempt to clone one, but other than general look/feel (which will soon be coming to all stores as part of the Market 32 rebranding), it's just not the same. For one thing, they're still half the size of a modern Wegmans, don't carry Wegmans brand items (which I love, especially the ketchup and sandwich meat), don't have the Wegmans bakery (OK, that's probably a good thing for my waistline), and a zillion other things; the only other differences from a regular Price Chopper are the prepared foods, better customer service (coming to other stores soon via Market 32), and the doctor located next to the pharmacy (which strikes me as a bit of a gimmick; who goes to the grocery store when they're sick and need a doctor?).
I was in a Whole Foods once when hanging out with a co-worker and her friend after work once. They have an AWESOME prepared foods section that yes, does beat Wegmans. The bakery is nothing to sneeze at either. Their prices are high, though, and you definitely need at least some cooking ability since they don't stock processed foods (which is kinda their business model, so not surprising). They also have venus fly traps in the plant area.
I wish Utica had a Wegmans or Whole Foods. Binghamton has Wegmans. The area used to get a bad rep, but with our college merger and Utica College/MVCC there are no shortage of students who want that kind of fresh food. Plus, Utica is one of the only cities that gained population in the 2010 census, so at least it can say it grew. Nobody like Produce Crappy, even with their new rebranding efforts.
Word on the street is that Wegmans will never come to Utica because there is a "gentleman's agreement" between Wegmans and Price Chopper that Utica is no man's land for Wegmans. We're stuck with the crap that's here.
If anything, it's between Wegmans and Hannaford. Wegmans has zero locations in Hannaford territory, yet Price Chopper competes along I-81 into Pennsylvania.
Tops overlaps Ghetto Chopper (that's what we call it in Albany, because many of the older ones are grungy and in ghettos) a little bit west of Utica and in the Adirondacks/North Country. Except in Watertown, Lake Placid/Saranac Lake, and Montpelier, Tops butts up against but doesn't really conflict with Hannaford.
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 08:57:25 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on June 14, 2015, 08:08:50 PM
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 05:14:04 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 14, 2015, 05:10:07 PM
I wish we had Wegmans in the Albany area. Market Bistro is Price Chopper's attempt to clone one, but other than general look/feel (which will soon be coming to all stores as part of the Market 32 rebranding), it's just not the same. For one thing, they're still half the size of a modern Wegmans, don't carry Wegmans brand items (which I love, especially the ketchup and sandwich meat), don't have the Wegmans bakery (OK, that's probably a good thing for my waistline), and a zillion other things; the only other differences from a regular Price Chopper are the prepared foods, better customer service (coming to other stores soon via Market 32), and the doctor located next to the pharmacy (which strikes me as a bit of a gimmick; who goes to the grocery store when they're sick and need a doctor?).
I was in a Whole Foods once when hanging out with a co-worker and her friend after work once. They have an AWESOME prepared foods section that yes, does beat Wegmans. The bakery is nothing to sneeze at either. Their prices are high, though, and you definitely need at least some cooking ability since they don't stock processed foods (which is kinda their business model, so not surprising). They also have venus fly traps in the plant area.
I wish Utica had a Wegmans or Whole Foods. Binghamton has Wegmans. The area used to get a bad rep, but with our college merger and Utica College/MVCC there are no shortage of students who want that kind of fresh food. Plus, Utica is one of the only cities that gained population in the 2010 census, so at least it can say it grew. Nobody like Produce Crappy, even with their new rebranding efforts.
Word on the street is that Wegmans will never come to Utica because there is a "gentleman's agreement" between Wegmans and Price Chopper that Utica is no man's land for Wegmans. We're stuck with the crap that's here.
If anything, it's between Wegmans and Hannaford. Wegmans has zero locations in Hannaford territory, yet Price Chopper competes along I-81 into Pennsylvania.
Tops overlaps Ghetto Chopper (that's what we call it in Albany, because many of the older ones are grungy and in ghettos) a little bit west of Utica and in the Adirondacks/North Country. Except in Watertown, Lake Placid/Saranac Lake, and Montpelier, Tops butts up against but doesn't really conflict with Hannaford.
The grocery wars are real. Speaking of Ghetto Chopper, I know people who used to call the Tops near me the "Ghetto Tops" (though it's not in the ghetto) until they renovated it, so I see where you're coming from.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 09:02:12 PMThe grocery wars are real.
Wait till you guys get Market Basket. Their recent location in South Attleboro, MA near my house is absolutely amazing - its leagues above Stop & Shop/Giant. (Though my relatives in Connecticut love to taunt me about Big Y.)
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 09:02:12 PMSpeaking of Ghetto Chopper, I know people who used to call the Tops near me the "Ghetto Tops" (though it's not in the ghetto) until they renovated it, so I see where you're coming from.
Me too, as that's my perception of Save-a-Lot and Price Rite.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ghetto+Chopper
http://blog.timesunion.com/rogergreen/the-ghetto-chopper-t-shirt-thing/4791/
It specifically refers to one location, but people use it to refer to every location
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 09:16:38 PMIt specifically refers to one location, but people use it to refer to every location
That's anything located in Central Falls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Falls,_Rhode_Island) for a lot of people here. Which is actually unfair to Central Falls, as there are pockets of it that are beautiful.
Quote from: dcbjms on June 14, 2015, 09:25:34 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 09:16:38 PMIt specifically refers to one location, but people use it to refer to every location
That's anything located in Central Falls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Falls,_Rhode_Island) for a lot of people here. Which is actually unfair to Central Falls, as there are pockets of it that are beautiful.
The Price Chopper in East Utica was always called Ghetto Chopper before it closed and relocated to South Utica.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 12:25:36 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 14, 2015, 11:10:18 AM
I went to Wegmans yesterday and continued to confirm what I have learned there: the further from the entrance, the worse the deal. Great loss leaders, in other words, but overall high prices.
In this area they seem to be locating in luxury retail complexes, though, so price must not really be the object for their core shoppers.
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations. Wegmans does not really do sales, yet this means that buying stuff elsewhere is cheaper if there's a sale.
Honestly, I do most of my shopping (everything but meat and produce) at Walmart because of the cost. I go to Wegmans when I need produce or certain types of meat, while one of the other local places gets my business if I'm getting beef or sausage because other places make it that day. I loathe Tops, yet some of their sales (such as the "meal deals" where buying a pack of meat gets you 10 items for free) bring prices well below everywhere else.
The "beef" I have with them is that they have been doing their own branding for awhile now. Instead of other brands of bread or cereal they will introduce more Wegmans branded bread and cereal. The fresh items are great though. I will say I have shopped there my entire life (and would frequent their daycare), but I could drop them in a heartbeat for Tops.
When Whole Foods opens on Sheridan it will be a madhouse. LOS F 24/7.
That's Wegmans' business strategy though. They're like Trader Joes only bigger and with more selection. Honestly, there are very few things that I buy that aren't Wegmans brand. Their quality is as good or better than national brands on almost everything.
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 14, 2015, 11:10:18 AM
I went to Wegmans yesterday and continued to confirm what I have learned there: the further from the entrance, the worse the deal. Great loss leaders, in other words, but overall high prices.
In this area they seem to be locating in luxury retail complexes, though, so price must not really be the object for their core shoppers.
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations.
Not in Philly. I think their newer locations are more grandiose than any of the ones I've visited near Buffalo. They have everything, including a full-service pub. Their popularity is helped by the fact that some grocery stores in the area are very expensive and not nearly as good in quality, ambiance, or service.
Wegmans, in its remote markets (the greater NYC, DC and Boston areas, for example) is very much being positioned as a gourmet brand that can also be your everyday grocery store–the latter is what would distinguish it from something like Whole Foods, according to the branding strategy. But Wegmans' real acclaim has mostly been for its desirability as an employer, and only much more recently for its desirability as a consumer brand.
Still, for whatever it's worth, Wegmans is poised to become NYC's next best-kept secret that they just recently discovered and now want to share with the unenlightened world (through a BuzzFeed listicle, in all likelihood). Y'know, just like what happened with Dinosaur BBQ and Yuengling.
As for my beef, it's always been their roughshod attitude toward the city they grew up in. They've closed every store but one in the city of Rochester, and the one that remains was expanded into another of their mega-stores at the expense of the entire remaining building stock of a historic village. And while they did make at least an appearance of "working with the community" on that project, you always knew that in the end, whatever Wegmans wanted is what was going to happen, and the city could either get on board or get out of the way.
The way this company is positioning themselves, it wouldn't surprise me if they move their HQ within 20 years. There are actually Ghetto Wegmans', such as in East Syracuse and (I think) Rochester. If the times really are a' changin' in Western New York then Wegmans should not have declined to open a store in downtown Buffalo.
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 12:43:54 PM
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 14, 2015, 12:25:36 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 14, 2015, 11:10:18 AM
I went to Wegmans yesterday and continued to confirm what I have learned there: the further from the entrance, the worse the deal. Great loss leaders, in other words, but overall high prices.
In this area they seem to be locating in luxury retail complexes, though, so price must not really be the object for their core shoppers.
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations. Wegmans does not really do sales, yet this means that buying stuff elsewhere is cheaper if there's a sale.
Honestly, I do most of my shopping (everything but meat and produce) at Walmart because of the cost. I go to Wegmans when I need produce or certain types of meat, while one of the other local places gets my business if I'm getting beef or sausage because other places make it that day. I loathe Tops, yet some of their sales (such as the "meal deals" where buying a pack of meat gets you 10 items for free) bring prices well below everywhere else.
The "beef" I have with them is that they have been doing their own branding for awhile now. Instead of other brands of bread or cereal they will introduce more Wegmans branded bread and cereal. The fresh items are great though. I will say I have shopped there my entire life (and would frequent their daycare), but I could drop them in a heartbeat for Tops.
When Whole Foods opens on Sheridan it will be a madhouse. LOS F 24/7.
I'll be out of here before it opens. Whole Foods is a level above everything else in the area. Orchard Fresh is the closest. Prepared foods are probably best in the industry and they carry a lot of stuff nobody else stocks. People around here think Wegmans is the same as Whole Foods. Not even close. My family did some of our shopping there when we lived in Ohio.
Few places get the prepared foods business Whole Foods gets. Think Wegmans offers a lot of prepared foods? Whole Foods probably offers three times as much and it's all-natural..
The Wegmans around here very much get the prepared food business. More options than the largest Whole Foods I know (where the shirts say "top ten in national sales"), and more seating than any restaurant I know.
Wegmans is gonna slaughter the competition if they ever open stores on Long Island.
Also re: backplate discussion a few pages back, noticed them popping here in Region 10. The black with yellow reflective bordering type. Most are on NY 27A in various areas but a few have shown up on NY 25 at Suffolk CR 14. Haven't seen backplates on state sigs since early 90s (NY 347/454 and NY 25A in parts)
Wegman still has the weak spot of price. ShopRite may lose customers who are all into the theme-park feel, but their parking lots are still full because their prices are just lower.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 18, 2015, 12:13:03 PM
Wegman still has the weak spot of price. ShopRite may lose customers who are all into the theme-park feel, but their parking lots are still full because their prices are just lower.
Perhaps that's why Wegmans is popular in NYC: every store here has the weak spot of price, so that takes away Wegmans' primary drawback. They would definitely put a place like Stew Leonard's to shame.
iPhone
And then you have the Niagara Falls Wegmans, which I stopped in before lunch. Felt like a Price Chopper inside (and not in a good way). The Tops down the road is actually nicer, as is the Walmart (!) across the street, and neither has the amount of annoying old people blocking the aisles and running you down in the parking lot.
I still remember the days when the Wegmans I would shop at wasn't renovated, and the aisles were dim lit and the floors, shelves and registers were grimy. Yet you got the Wegmans quality we all love. I actually liked that Wegmans.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 18, 2015, 03:45:02 PM
I still remember the days when the Wegmans I would shop at wasn't renovated, and the aisles were dim lit and the floors, shelves and registers were grimy. Yet you got the Wegmans quality we all love. I actually liked that Wegmans.
Oh yes; their higher-tone branding is a very recent (and perhaps partly unintentional) development.
iPhone
It's as if there are 2 separate chains. Western New York Wegmans is Tops/Price Chopper/ShopRite/your typical supermarket chain but with better prepared foods and fewer name brands, but rest of the country Wegmans is this high-end food mecca.
I do miss Wegmans and wish they migrated west to Ohio (not going to happen, I know, but I do miss them)
Quote from: route17fan on June 18, 2015, 05:56:32 PM
I do miss Wegmans and wish they migrated west to Ohio (not going to happen, I know, but I do miss them)
Wegmans would have been great in Ohio. I was in Columbus in the mid-2000s. Kroger (the market leader) had dumpy locations everywhere. We split our shopping between Walmart, Meijer, Whole Foods, and Giant Eagle to get everything we wanted at decent prices. What's nice about Wegmans is that my parents can buy most of their food in one place and only have to hit up Walmart once or twice a month for the stuff they have really cheap. Heck, I as a college student do most of my shopping at Wegmans, mainly because one of their very few "fancy" locations in Western New York is just off of campus.
Quote from: cl94 on June 18, 2015, 07:46:24 PM
Quote from: route17fan on June 18, 2015, 05:56:32 PM
I do miss Wegmans and wish they migrated west to Ohio (not going to happen, I know, but I do miss them)
Wegmans would have been great in Ohio. I was in Columbus in the mid-2000s. Kroger (the market leader) had dumpy locations everywhere. We split our shopping between Walmart, Meijer, Whole Foods, and Giant Eagle to get everything we wanted at decent prices. What's nice about Wegmans is that my parents can buy most of their food in one place and only have to hit up Walmart once or twice a month for the stuff they have really cheap. Heck, I as a college student do most of my shopping at Wegmans, mainly because one of their very few "fancy" locations in Western New York is just off of campus.
I don't blame you my friend.
There are a pair of Wegmans opening in the Richmond area within the next year or so. Lots of people were excited for it when it was first announced, but they're too far away from me to be practical for me to do my shopping. I rotate between Aldi, Food Lion, and Target for my grocery shopping.
I work in a grocery store chain based in so CA owned by the Kroger co. (feel free to guess the name) and Kroger is a competitor to Wegman's back east (as we call them in CA). Nice to read how good (or bad) Wegman's are in availability of groceries, their prices and customer service. I can name 5 competitors: Albertsons (they bought Safeway who owns Vons), Stater Bros. based in San Bernardino, Winco which has like 100 stores in the west coast (they have one in my area in Indio), Trader Joe's and Jensen's (exotic or special groceries). And least not forget Wal-mart's Neighborhood Market operations, as well their main stores carry a grocery dept. Competition is what makes America go round and it's nice to be loyal to a store...of your personal choice.
I normally shop at Acme and ShopRite, they are 1 mile away from my current location in NJ, Wegmans is 10 miles away. I normally shop there if i want something special. They have more imported food options than the other stores in my immediate area. I get frozen curry there for example, and various imported canned foods.
Quote from: MASTERNC on June 15, 2015, 09:41:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations.
Not in Philly. I think their newer locations are more grandiose than any of the ones I've visited near Buffalo. They have everything, including a full-service pub.
I was just about to say–cl94, I don't know where you're coming from because that's been the opposite of my experience in all of the outer Wegmans service areas I've either lived in or visited: Williamsport, Allentown, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. They've all been expansive stores with large bakeries, cafés, and amenities to best the biggest competitors in town.
Perhaps this varies from metro to metro or from one product category to another, but I've never understood this general "Wegmans is expensive" objection I've encountered from time to time. I can only speak to my personal experience: When I lived in various parts of suburban Philadelphia, my choices were often either Wegmans or Acme.
If you were willing to overlook the fact that most Acme stores were disgusting, run-down holes in the wall, you might do slightly better at Acme on price–but ONLY if you had a shopper club card, bought only the items on sale, and NOTHING else. A box of Cheerios might be on "sale" for $2 one week, but then the "regular" price of $6 the next. Woe be unto you if you wanted Cheerios on the wrong week.
That is contrasted with Wegmans model where the same box Cheerios might be $3 every week. Particularly for individuals and small families who have neither the number of mouths to eat up the items purchased on blowout sales nor the storage space to stockpile items that might go bad anyway, Wegmans steadier pricing model makes more sense. Further, with the low prices, decent quality, and wide selection of Wegmans store brand products, I found that I could be equally satisfied and enjoy even lower prices.
And being a vegetarian, Wegmans had a selection of veggie burgers, Tofurkys and the like to match anything any Whole Foods or hippy co-op could offer, often at better prices.
Honestly, Wegmans and rain may be competing for the #1 thing I miss about the East. I hate Safeway beyond words.
The new Wegmans near our neighborhood opened last Sunday. I did not go because I expected crowds. I was right: the radio said 1800 people were already standing on line when the store opened at 7:00 AM. I had better things to do at that time of day, namely sleeping!
I work a half day tomorrow, so I'll head to the new store for fish for dinner and to get lunch at the in-store pub.
Haven't decided whether we'll do our regular shopping there. The gas points at Giant are a big deal since two of our three cars specify premium-grade gas. Other thing is, I love the self-scanner gun at Giant: You have the option of taking a handheld barcode scanner when you enter the store, scanning and bagging your groceries as you go, and then just scanning an "end of order" barcode at the checkout. So you don't have to unload all your groceries simply to allow the cashier to rearrange them and put them back into the cart. Wegmans doesn't offer that device. Once you get used to it, it's hard to go back to the old-fashioned way.
Quote from: briantroutman on June 18, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on June 15, 2015, 09:41:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations.
Not in Philly. I think their newer locations are more grandiose than any of the ones I've visited near Buffalo. They have everything, including a full-service pub.
I was just about to say–cl94, I don't know where you're coming from because that's been the opposite of my experience in all of the outer Wegmans service areas I've either lived in or visited: Williamsport, Allentown, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. They've all been expansive stores with large bakeries, cafés, and amenities to best the biggest competitors in town.
Perhaps this varies from metro to metro or from one product category to another, but I've never understood this general "Wegmans is expensive" objection I've encountered from time to time. I can only speak to my personal experience: When I lived in various parts of suburban Philadelphia, my choices were often either Wegmans or Acme.
If you were willing to overlook the fact that most Acme stores were disgusting, run-down holes in the wall, you might do slightly better at Acme on price–but ONLY if you had a shopper club card, bought only the items on sale, and NOTHING else. A box of Cheerios might be on "sale" for $2 one week, but then the "regular" price of $6 the next. Woe be unto you if you wanted Cheerios on the wrong week.
That is contrasted with Wegmans model where the same box Cheerios might be $3 every week. Particularly for individuals and small families who have neither the number of mouths to eat up the items purchased on blowout sales nor the storage space to stockpile items that might go bad anyway, Wegmans steadier pricing model makes more sense. Further, with the low prices, decent quality, and wide selection of Wegmans store brand products, I found that I could be equally satisfied and enjoy even lower prices.
And being a vegetarian, Wegmans had a selection of veggie burgers, Tofurkys and the like to match anything any Whole Foods or hippy co-op could offer, often at better prices.
Honestly, Wegmans and rain may be competing for the #1 thing I miss about the East. I hate Safeway beyond words.
I'm saying that many Western New York Wegmans locations aren't anything to write home about. I've been in the more-distant (i.e. New Jersey and SE Pennsylvania) ones and they are pretty big. Much larger than anything you'd find in Buffalo or Rochester. Wegmans is cheap, but the hype I hear from out of town doesn't really apply in the areas where Wegmans has been for 30+ years. To someone who lives in Buffalo, Wegmans is Rochester's version of the standard supermarket because the locations here are small and simple.
Wegmans-mania baffles me because, at least where I've lived, Wegmans is no different than your average supermarket.
Quote from: Mike D boy on June 18, 2015, 09:49:57 PM
I work in a grocery store chain based in so CA owned by the Kroger co. (feel free to guess the name) and Kroger is a competitor to Wegman's back east (as we call them in CA). Nice to read how good (or bad) Wegman's are in availability of groceries, their prices and customer service. I can name 5 competitors: Albertsons (they bought Safeway who owns Vons), Stater Bros. based in San Bernardino, Winco which has like 100 stores in the west coast (they have one in my area in Indio), Trader Joe's and Jensen's (exotic or special groceries). And least not forget Wal-mart's Neighborhood Market operations, as well their main stores carry a grocery dept. Competition is what makes America go round and it's nice to be loyal to a store...of your personal choice.
Wait, where is Wegmans overlapping with all those west coast brands such that they're competitors? Or am I misreading this?
Quote from: 1995hoo on June 18, 2015, 10:22:55 PM
Other thing is, I love the self-scanner gun at Giant: You have the option of taking a handheld barcode scanner when you enter the store, scanning and bagging your groceries as you go, and then just scanning an "end of order" barcode at the checkout. So you don't have to unload all your groceries simply to allow the cashier to rearrange them and put them back into the cart. Wegmans doesn't offer that device. Once you get used to it, it's hard to go back to the old-fashioned way.
One of Wegmans' best-known attributes is being very generous to its employees. I don't know if this results in an intentional policy of avoiding self check-outs or if there's some other reason. Or none in particular (but I find that doubtful).
Quote from: briantroutman on June 18, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
I was just about to say–cl94, I don't know where you're coming from because that's been the opposite of my experience in all of the outer Wegmans service areas I've either lived in or visited: Williamsport, Allentown, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. They've all been expansive stores with large bakeries, cafés, and amenities to best the biggest competitors in town.
Yeah, that's because he's in the Buffalo area, where most of the stores are still the older-style, average-supermarket type of model. Even in their home turf of Rochester, where the modest stores used to be the norm, they've now largely been upgraded so that they resemble the out-of-state market more than they do the Western NY vibe.
QuotePerhaps this varies from metro to metro or from one product category to another, but I've never understood this general "Wegmans is expensive" objection I've encountered from time to time. I can only speak to my personal experience: When I lived in various parts of suburban Philadelphia, my choices were often either Wegmans or Acme.
If you were willing to overlook the fact that most Acme stores were disgusting, run-down holes in the wall, you might do slightly better at Acme on price–but ONLY if you had a shopper club card, bought only the items on sale, and NOTHING else. A box of Cheerios might be on "sale" for $2 one week, but then the "regular" price of $6 the next. Woe be unto you if you wanted Cheerios on the wrong week.
That is contrasted with Wegmans model where the same box Cheerios might be $3 every week. Particularly for individuals and small families who have neither the number of mouths to eat up the items purchased on blowout sales nor the storage space to stockpile items that might go bad anyway, Wegmans steadier pricing model makes more sense. Further, with the low prices, decent quality, and wide selection of Wegmans store brand products, I found that I could be equally satisfied and enjoy even lower prices.
Sounds like A&P's pricing as well: you can only afford what's on sale! That may be another reason Wegmans might do well in the NYC area. But you're right–again, Wegmans is "expensive" compared to the typical upstate supermarket of yore, places like Tops or Price Chopper, perhaps. But it's not expensive compared to its new-found competitors like Whole Foods. At least, I assume it isn't; I actually don't shop regularly at Wegmans because I no longer live in their area.
QuoteAnd being a vegetarian, Wegmans had a selection of veggie burgers...
Wegmans is a vegetarian? :-D
Quote from: empirestate on June 18, 2015, 10:42:21 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on June 18, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
I was just about to say–cl94, I don't know where you're coming from because that's been the opposite of my experience in all of the outer Wegmans service areas I've either lived in or visited: Williamsport, Allentown, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. They've all been expansive stores with large bakeries, cafés, and amenities to best the biggest competitors in town.
Yeah, that's because he's in the Buffalo area, where most of the stores are still the older-style, average-supermarket type of model. Even in their home turf of Rochester, where the modest stores used to be the norm, they've now largely been upgraded so that they resemble the out-of-state market more than they do the Western NY vibe.
Correct. There are only 3 (Williamsville, North Buffalo, Orchard Park) out of ~10 that come remotely close to the out-of-state ones in size and selection and even those are small in comparison. The west Amherst one, while one of the earlier "larger" ones, is still pretty small compared to their newer locations. They're in the process of slightly enlarging and renovating the East Amherst location, but it'll still be small by Wegmans' standards. The relatively new location in Depew is even an older-style model lacking the fancy stuff everyone knows Wegmans for.
Quote from: Mike D boy on June 18, 2015, 09:49:57 PM
I work in a grocery store chain based in so CA owned by the Kroger co. (feel free to guess the name) and Kroger is a competitor to Wegman's back east (as we call them in CA). Nice to read how good (or bad) Wegman's are in availability of groceries, their prices and customer service. I can name 5 competitors: Albertsons (they bought Safeway who owns Vons), Stater Bros. based in San Bernardino, Winco which has like 100 stores in the west coast (they have one in my area in Indio), Trader Joe's and Jensen's (exotic or special groceries). And least not forget Wal-mart's Neighborhood Market operations, as well their main stores carry a grocery dept. Competition is what makes America go round and it's nice to be loyal to a store...of your personal choice.
I'll guess Ralph's
I grew up in central Los Angeles near West Hollywood. In my neighborhood we had several Ralphs supermarkets and very few other competitors, even though there were more stores that served Los Angeles generally. My mom had to travel all the way to Sepulveda/National for the nearest Vons, if they had a good deal on something. She shopped there on days when she took me to school while I was in college at UCLA.
I remember Ralphs being at the following locations in my area (approx. 20 years ago):
Sunset/Poinsettia; Fountain/La Brea; 3rd/La Brea; Wilshire/Hauser; Beverly/La Cienega; 3rd/San Vicente; Beverly/Doheny; 3rd/Fairfax; Santa Monica/Fairfax
As I check on google maps, I see that some of these stores have become other brands like Whole Foods. Competition is a very good thing.
Quote from: empirestate on June 18, 2015, 10:42:21 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on June 18, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
And being a vegetarian, Wegmans had a selection of veggie burgers...
Wegmans is a vegetarian? :-D
That's what happens when you second-guess your prose and make a hasty edit.
Quote from: briantroutman on June 19, 2015, 12:25:43 PM
Quote from: empirestate on June 18, 2015, 10:42:21 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on June 18, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
And being a vegetarian, Wegmans had a selection of veggie burgers...
Wegmans is a vegetarian? :-D
That's what happens when you second-guess your prose and make a hasty edit.
I'm the worst; I can't resist a good grammar quip. :-)
I could never be a vegetarian. That means I'd have to give up eating meat. :bigass:
Quote from: cl94 on June 18, 2015, 10:29:44 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on June 18, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on June 15, 2015, 09:41:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations.
Not in Philly. I think their newer locations are more grandiose than any of the ones I've visited near Buffalo. They have everything, including a full-service pub.
I was just about to say–cl94, I don't know where you're coming from because that's been the opposite of my experience in all of the outer Wegmans service areas I've either lived in or visited: Williamsport, Allentown, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. They've all been expansive stores with large bakeries, cafés, and amenities to best the biggest competitors in town.
Perhaps this varies from metro to metro or from one product category to another, but I've never understood this general "Wegmans is expensive" objection I've encountered from time to time. I can only speak to my personal experience: When I lived in various parts of suburban Philadelphia, my choices were often either Wegmans or Acme.
If you were willing to overlook the fact that most Acme stores were disgusting, run-down holes in the wall, you might do slightly better at Acme on price–but ONLY if you had a shopper club card, bought only the items on sale, and NOTHING else. A box of Cheerios might be on "sale" for $2 one week, but then the "regular" price of $6 the next. Woe be unto you if you wanted Cheerios on the wrong week.
That is contrasted with Wegmans model where the same box Cheerios might be $3 every week. Particularly for individuals and small families who have neither the number of mouths to eat up the items purchased on blowout sales nor the storage space to stockpile items that might go bad anyway, Wegmans steadier pricing model makes more sense. Further, with the low prices, decent quality, and wide selection of Wegmans store brand products, I found that I could be equally satisfied and enjoy even lower prices.
And being a vegetarian, Wegmans had a selection of veggie burgers, Tofurkys and the like to match anything any Whole Foods or hippy co-op could offer, often at better prices.
Honestly, Wegmans and rain may be competing for the #1 thing I miss about the East. I hate Safeway beyond words.
I'm saying that many Western New York Wegmans locations aren't anything to write home about. I've been in the more-distant (i.e. New Jersey and SE Pennsylvania) ones and they are pretty big. Much larger than anything you'd find in Buffalo or Rochester. Wegmans is cheap, but the hype I hear from out of town doesn't really apply in the areas where Wegmans has been for 30+ years. To someone who lives in Buffalo, Wegmans is Rochester's version of the standard supermarket because the locations here are small and simple.
Wegmans-mania baffles me because, at least where I've lived, Wegmans is no different than your average supermarket.
I'm going on a limb here to say that checking the Yelp reviews, my neighborhood Wegmans only has like 6 or 7 (McKinley), but if you were to check the ones in like PA, VA, or MA, it's a whole different ball game. These people take pictures of the stores, buffet setups, meat areas, produce dept, etc. Stuff most of us see as boring as looking at paint dry.
On the flipside, Buffalonians will freak out when Whole Foods gets here. When I took my first visit to one in Fairfax County VA it was in a village-y type setting, the perfect place for a WF. I wasn't impressed, likely because I've been used to Wegmans since I was born.
Quote from: Buffaboy on June 19, 2015, 02:16:23 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 18, 2015, 10:29:44 PM
Quote from: briantroutman on June 18, 2015, 10:09:10 PM
Quote from: MASTERNC on June 15, 2015, 09:41:18 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 14, 2015, 11:17:55 AM
Wegmans outside of Western New York is an entirely different animal than it is around here. Here, most Wegmans locations are the size of your typical supermarket, only with worse selection and lacking a butcher shop. There are a couple that look like the stores elsewhere, but many are actually worse than some Tops locations.
Not in Philly. I think their newer locations are more grandiose than any of the ones I've visited near Buffalo. They have everything, including a full-service pub.
I was just about to say–cl94, I don't know where you're coming from because that's been the opposite of my experience in all of the outer Wegmans service areas I've either lived in or visited: Williamsport, Allentown, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. They've all been expansive stores with large bakeries, cafés, and amenities to best the biggest competitors in town.
Perhaps this varies from metro to metro or from one product category to another, but I've never understood this general "Wegmans is expensive" objection I've encountered from time to time. I can only speak to my personal experience: When I lived in various parts of suburban Philadelphia, my choices were often either Wegmans or Acme.
If you were willing to overlook the fact that most Acme stores were disgusting, run-down holes in the wall, you might do slightly better at Acme on price–but ONLY if you had a shopper club card, bought only the items on sale, and NOTHING else. A box of Cheerios might be on "sale" for $2 one week, but then the "regular" price of $6 the next. Woe be unto you if you wanted Cheerios on the wrong week.
That is contrasted with Wegmans model where the same box Cheerios might be $3 every week. Particularly for individuals and small families who have neither the number of mouths to eat up the items purchased on blowout sales nor the storage space to stockpile items that might go bad anyway, Wegmans steadier pricing model makes more sense. Further, with the low prices, decent quality, and wide selection of Wegmans store brand products, I found that I could be equally satisfied and enjoy even lower prices.
And being a vegetarian, Wegmans had a selection of veggie burgers, Tofurkys and the like to match anything any Whole Foods or hippy co-op could offer, often at better prices.
Honestly, Wegmans and rain may be competing for the #1 thing I miss about the East. I hate Safeway beyond words.
I'm saying that many Western New York Wegmans locations aren't anything to write home about. I've been in the more-distant (i.e. New Jersey and SE Pennsylvania) ones and they are pretty big. Much larger than anything you'd find in Buffalo or Rochester. Wegmans is cheap, but the hype I hear from out of town doesn't really apply in the areas where Wegmans has been for 30+ years. To someone who lives in Buffalo, Wegmans is Rochester's version of the standard supermarket because the locations here are small and simple.
Wegmans-mania baffles me because, at least where I've lived, Wegmans is no different than your average supermarket.
I'm going on a limb here to say that checking the Yelp reviews, my neighborhood Wegmans only has like 6 or 7 (McKinley), but if you were to check the ones in like PA, VA, or MA, it's a whole different ball game. These people take pictures of the stores, buffet setups, meat areas, produce dept, etc. Stuff most of us see as boring as looking at paint dry.
On the flipside, Buffalonians will freak out when Whole Foods gets here. When I took my first visit to one in Fairfax County VA it was in a village-y type setting, the perfect place for a WF. I wasn't impressed, likely because I've been used to Wegmans since I was born.
And the McKinley one is one of the 3 in Buffalo that comes remotely close to the out-of-area ones. Whole Foods might actually force Wegmans to upgrade their Buffalo locations to be like the more-distant ones, especially because the first Whole Foods won't be too far from 2 of the "fancy-ish" Buffalo locations and a couple blocks from the "big and almost fancy-ish" location.
Quote from: mrsman on June 19, 2015, 08:04:49 AM
I'll guess Ralph's
Everything I know about Ralph's I learned from
The Big Lebowski.
Quote from: empirestate on June 18, 2015, 10:42:21 PM
Quote from: Mike D boy on June 18, 2015, 09:49:57 PM
I work in a grocery store chain based in so CA owned by the Kroger co. (feel free to guess the name) and Kroger is a competitor to Wegman's back east (as we call them in CA). Nice to read how good (or bad) Wegman's are in availability of groceries, their prices and customer service. I can name 5 competitors: Albertsons (they bought Safeway who owns Vons), Stater Bros. based in San Bernardino, Winco which has like 100 stores in the west coast (they have one in my area in Indio), Trader Joe's and Jensen's (exotic or special groceries). And least not forget Wal-mart's Neighborhood Market operations, as well their main stores carry a grocery dept. Competition is what makes America go round and it's nice to be loyal to a store...of your personal choice.
Wait, where is Wegmans overlapping with all those west coast brands such that they're competitors? Or am I misreading this?
Kroger competes with Wegmans in Maryland and Virginia by way of Harris Teeter, but that's about it. The only other Kroger owned outfit near a Wegmans would be the Turkey Hill gas/convenient stores in PA, hardly a direct threat.
Quote from: Snappyjack on June 19, 2015, 06:27:43 PM
...Harris Teeter, but that's about it.
I wouldn't write off a Harris Teeter/Wegmans feud so easily. Wegmans has been expanding south in search of more affluent markets (Northern NJ, Philadelphia suburbs) while Harris Teeter has expanded northward having already saturated the South. The fertile battleground would appear to be the Baltimore-Washington region, where both are making inroads.
Quote from: briantroutman on June 19, 2015, 07:15:02 PM
Quote from: Snappyjack on June 19, 2015, 06:27:43 PM
...Harris Teeter, but that's about it.
I wouldn't write off a Harris Teeter/Wegmans feud so easily. Wegmans has been expanding south in search of more affluent markets (Northern NJ, Philadelphia suburbs) while Harris Teeter has expanded northward having already saturated the South. The fertile battleground would appear to be the Baltimore-Washington region, where both are making inroads.
Agree completely. During TRB, my hotel was a block from the Harris Teeter in NoMa and I visited twice for food. Prepared food options were pretty similar to those found at Wegmans locations in their newer markets. Wegmans has better wings (as they should, being from Western New York), but Harris Teeter had better Chinese food, IMO. From the prepared foods and bakery standpoint, they are extremely similar chains.
There are plenty of Kroger locations in Virginia (as opposed to Teeter), but none in the area that overlaps where Wegmans entered the market.
Harris Teeter is nothing to write home about. One thing I have noticed is the old Jersey standby... Shop-Rite.. has seen an increase in prepared food offerings. All the new ones seem to have it now under the branding of "Shop-Rite Kitchen". This is despite the light presence of Wegmans in this market.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on June 20, 2015, 02:21:18 AM
Harris Teeter is nothing to write home about.
Tell that to the person who made a music video about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lclCv6wPeU
Harris Teeter reminds me of Kings (an upscale supermarket chain in the NYC area), maybe a step below it. Very few of their locations have prepared food, and the overall selection of stuff is lower then the average northeastern supermarket. They do have very good customer service though. When my relatives ordered a sheet cake for my cousin's graduation, they lost the order so it wasn't ready on the time promised. Not only did they say the cost was on them, they even delivered it to the house when it was ready!
Quote from: NJRoadfan on June 21, 2015, 01:50:02 AM
Harris Teeter reminds me of Kings (an upscale supermarket chain in the NYC area), maybe a step below it. Very few of their locations have prepared food, and the overall selection of stuff is lower then the average northeastern supermarket. They do have very good customer service though. When my relatives ordered a sheet cake for my cousin's graduation, they lost the order so it wasn't ready on the time promised. Not only did they say the cost was on them, they even delivered it to the house when it was ready!
I'm surprised Kings doesn't get their clock cleaned by Whole Foods. Kings sells high quality fish, meats, prepared foods, and some high-end packaged goods labels. Overall, though, it's just expensive. I've always suspected a big chunk of their business comes from folks who prefer to be seen shopping at Kings rather than ShopRite.
One thing that cracks me up about QVC is that when there's a presentation of something like can openers or package sealers, they always use Wegman's store brand items as props. They don't tape over the name or anything. (HSN, OTOH, uses whatever they get then they tape over the brand name)
King's closed their only South Jersey store around 25 years ago.
When we moved to DC, we were so excited about having so many Whole Foods in the area. My girlfriend has a gluten allergy and we use to make around a 30 mile trek in the Nashville metro area to Whole Foods as the selection and price was much better than Kroger or Publix, which are beyond outrageous.
However, once we got up here to DC, we went to Wegman's and absolutely love it. The selection of products and prices are absolutely top notch and we don't even shop at Whole Foods any more. I particularly like their ribeyes and strip steaks, though we get other meats such as ground beef and chicken from Costco. The new Wegman's that just opened in Springfield, VA according to my girlfriend is much larger than the other ones we've been to in Ashburn, Leesburg, Gainesville, and Fairfax and those stores are very good sized.
The new Wegmans that just opened is a few minutes from where we live. I don't think it's larger than the other ones. The main difference, as far as I can tell, is the new store's inclusion of the pub. (I had a late lunch there last Friday, a French dip with fries and three pints of DC Brau Corruption IPA on tap. All pretty good.)
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
What's most interesting about them here in Rochester is the distinct, and almost total, lack of true competition. Everyone shops there, and if they do go to other stores as well, it's not really at Wegman's expense. There was some concern that Trader Joe's, which opened in Pittsford a few years back, would hurt Wegmans. But that never really came to fruition, and business is booming at both Pittsford Wegmans and Trader Joes.
I think there's a few things Wegmans has going for them
-Wide-reaching target market. Everyone has a reason to go there, whether its for affordable groceries, the prepared foods, the food bar, or the pharmacy.
-Good marketing. They're not afraid to call out the competition. They have signs like "Tops Price $2.99, BJS Price $2.19, Wegmans Price $2.09" all over the place. Their price lock strategy is a good one, too.
-Clean and Efficient. Always well maintained. I've even gone in there a few times just to use the bathrooms. Their cashiers are always friendly, and they always have enough registers open, unlike Tops and Aldi.
-Market Café. No other grocery store has as many hot and ready lunch options. People around here often take their visitors there just for lunch, just for the experience. Can't beat the atmosphere and the variety.
-Smart Expansion Strategy. Going east with new stores was a good move, as was building higher-end stores at many of the new locations. That helps build up a good reputation, hopefully enabling them to be a nationwide chain someday.
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
Both Publix and Wegman's seem to be the top of the food chain when it comes to grocery stores here in the US. Both keep their stores clean and well maintained, have pharmacies, good customer service, good Delis/Market Cafés and good/competitive prices (or at least lots of ways to save money). Both also have strong fanbases in the areas that they operate in and routinely both rank at or near the top of any list comparing grocery stores. However, while it seems that Wegman's is #1 for product variety and prices, Publix seems to tend to edge them out slightly in customer service and in the deli (Publix's subs are very well liked, with many people ranking them at #1 or close to it, and Southern Kitchen claims that Publix does fried chicken better than most fried chicken restaurants in the south, though they didn't compare Chick-fil-a to any of them oddly enough).
Personally, I think that a grocery store that combined the best elements of Wegman's and Publix would be almost entirely unstoppable here in the US.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
Both Publix and Wegman's seem to be the top of the food chain when it comes to grocery stores here in the US. Both keep their stores clean and well maintained, have pharmacies, good customer service, good Delis/Market Cafés and good/competitive prices (or at least lots of ways to save money). Both also have strong fanbases in the areas that they operate in and routinely both rank at or near the top of any list comparing grocery stores. However, while it seems that Wegman's is #1 for product variety and prices, Publix seems to tend to edge them out slightly in customer service and in the deli (Publix's subs are very well liked, with many people ranking them at #1 or close to it, and Southern Kitchen claims that Publix does fried chicken better than most fried chicken restaurants in the south, though they didn't compare Chick-fil-a to any of them oddly enough).
Personally, I think that a grocery store that combined the best elements of Wegman's and Publix would be almost entirely unstoppable here in the US.
Richmond is one of two markets with both stores, and Publix seems to be slightly more popular.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
...Southern Kitchen claims that Publix does fried chicken better than most fried chicken restaurants in the south, though they didn't compare Chick-fil-a to any of them oddly enough).
Chick-fil-a doesn't really do fried chicken. Chicken sandwiches and nuggets don't count!
Quote from: Takumi on January 25, 2018, 03:06:46 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
Both Publix and Wegman's seem to be the top of the food chain when it comes to grocery stores here in the US. Both keep their stores clean and well maintained, have pharmacies, good customer service, good Delis/Market Cafés and good/competitive prices (or at least lots of ways to save money). Both also have strong fanbases in the areas that they operate in and routinely both rank at or near the top of any list comparing grocery stores. However, while it seems that Wegman's is #1 for product variety and prices, Publix seems to tend to edge them out slightly in customer service and in the deli (Publix's subs are very well liked, with many people ranking them at #1 or close to it, and Southern Kitchen claims that Publix does fried chicken better than most fried chicken restaurants in the south, though they didn't compare Chick-fil-a to any of them oddly enough).
Personally, I think that a grocery store that combined the best elements of Wegman's and Publix would be almost entirely unstoppable here in the US.
Richmond is one of two markets with both stores, and Publix seems to be slightly more popular.
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 25, 2018, 03:19:43 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
...Southern Kitchen claims that Publix does fried chicken better than most fried chicken restaurants in the south, though they didn't compare Chick-fil-a to any of them oddly enough).
Chick-fil-a doesn't really do fried chicken. Chicken sandwiches and nuggets don't count!
I guess. They still make some pretty good chicken though.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 03:27:29 PM
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
Kentucky was split from Virginia in 1792, which was reasonable (not every state has to touch the Atlantic coast).
West Virginia was split from Virginia during and due to the Civil War.
But splitting Virginia into two over a Wegman's/Publix rivalry? That's crazy! :bigass:
Quote from: 1 on January 25, 2018, 03:30:31 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 03:27:29 PM
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
Kentucky was split from Virginia in 1792, which was reasonable (not every state has to touch the Atlantic coast).
West Virginia was split from Virginia during and due to the Civil War.
But splitting Virginia into two over a Wegman's/Publix rivalry? That's crazy! :bigass:
:-D
I was talking about territorially (like how Sheetz and WaWa have pretty much split PA when it comes to where their stores are), but that could work too! :spin:
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
-1 on Publix. And that's coming from someone who used to live within walking distance of a Publix and shopped there nearly every other day.
There was an ongoing sidebar discussion in another thread about overhyped burger chains. In my opinion, if there was an award for most overhyped supermarket, Publix would easily take home the gold medal.
All of the locations I frequented when I lived in Tampa–and those that I visited in Orlando, South Florida, and Jacksonville–were fairly middle-of-the-road supermarkets. In terms of facilities or selection, they were no larger or more special than any run-of-the-mill Giant, Safeway, Weis, Kroger...take your pick. Certainly nothing even approaching the typical palatial Wegmans. I'll grant that Publix stores were usually clean and well stocked, but if you were looking for anything special or out-of-the-ordinary, I wouldn't count on Publix to stock it. Pricing was unremarkable.
I don't eat meat, so I can't comment on Publix deli meats or famous Cubans. But I have ordered cheese subs there, and they were fine but not worth gushing over. I think Wegmans' sub rolls are noticeably better.
Most of the Publix praise I've read or heard makes reference to service. This proved to be a negative when I visited. "Service" meant having no self-checkout stands, thus forcing me to wait at a manned checkstand while an elderly cashier exchanged pleasantries with other customers and occasionally scanned a grocery. "Service" also meant not offering cart corrals and training customers to leave carts laying around in the parking lot because "service" meant wasting employee time on perpetual cart patrols.
I don't want bad or rude service, and I hate it when a cashier can't even be bothered to make eye contact or say hello. But I don't want a cashier to pretend to be my friend for five minutes while I'm trying to get on with my day. Just do your job competently and with a positive attitude, and save the bull-shooting for Gomer at the filling station.
Quote from: briantroutman on January 25, 2018, 03:34:48 PM
Service” meant having no self-checkout stands
To each their own I guess (I personally hate self checkouts and avoid using them as much as possible), but I have seen that newer Publix locations tend to feature self checkouts up at the front.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
That was a superlative intended mostly as humor, and to catch your attention :D Funny enough, I'd never heard of Publix before this.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 03:27:29 PM
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
Wegmans can be pretty aggressive, and I think their expansions/new store decisions are usually pretty well calculated. They probably won't just back off if they end up in conflicting territory.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 03:27:29 PM
Quote from: Takumi on January 25, 2018, 03:06:46 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
Both Publix and Wegman's seem to be the top of the food chain when it comes to grocery stores here in the US. Both keep their stores clean and well maintained, have pharmacies, good customer service, good Delis/Market Cafés and good/competitive prices (or at least lots of ways to save money). Both also have strong fanbases in the areas that they operate in and routinely both rank at or near the top of any list comparing grocery stores. However, while it seems that Wegman's is #1 for product variety and prices, Publix seems to tend to edge them out slightly in customer service and in the deli (Publix's subs are very well liked, with many people ranking them at #1 or close to it, and Southern Kitchen claims that Publix does fried chicken better than most fried chicken restaurants in the south, though they didn't compare Chick-fil-a to any of them oddly enough).
Personally, I think that a grocery store that combined the best elements of Wegman's and Publix would be almost entirely unstoppable here in the US.
Richmond is one of two markets with both stores, and Publix seems to be slightly more popular.
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
Currently there are around a dozen Publixes and two Wegmans around Richmond, but the way they build their stores is different. Most, if not all, of the Publix locations were former Ukrop's/Martin's stores that were sold when Ahold and Delhaize merged, while the Wegmans are both new construction and brought other businesses with them. Raleigh is the other overlapping market.
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 03:41:29 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
That was a superlative intended mostly as humor, and to catch your attention
I just figured you were an employee.
Quote from: Takumi on January 25, 2018, 03:44:18 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 03:41:29 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
That was a superlative intended mostly as humor, and to catch your attention
I just figured you were an employee.
[read: Takumi thinks Wegman's employees are stuck-up]
Or are you merely alluding to how many times they've made the "Best 100 Companies to Work For" list?
Quote from: Takumi on January 25, 2018, 03:43:28 PM
Currently there are around a dozen Publixes and two Wegmans around Richmond, but the way they build their stores is different. Most, if not all, of the Publix locations were former Ukrop's/Martin's stores that were sold when Ahold and Delhaize merged, while the Wegmans are both new construction and brought other businesses with them. Raleigh is the other overlapping market.
Fredericksburg is about to be another overlapping market...getting its first Publix after having a Wegman's for several years now.
I remember when Publix came to South Carolina nearly 30 years ago. People liked them a lot - the stores were way more modern than long-standing chains like Piggly Wiggly, Winn Dixie, BiLo, and Doschers. It reminded me of when Kroger came to the Charleston area about 1979...they just out-classed all the existing stores in terms of size and selection.
Wegman's is terrific on most fronts. My biggest criticism of them is that they constantly move entire sections of the store around...
Quote from: Mapmikey on January 25, 2018, 03:52:58 PM
chains like Piggly Wiggly, Winn Dixie, BiLo, and Doschers.
Speaking of planets, that sounds like a bunch of grocery stores from another planet, if not another universe :wow: :pan:
QuoteWegman's is terrific on most fronts. My biggest criticism of them is that they constantly move entire sections of the store around...
We don't really have that problem... mostly just the occasional overhaul/update. Which sections do you find they tend to move around?
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 03:46:39 PM
Quote from: Takumi on January 25, 2018, 03:44:18 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 03:41:29 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 02:38:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 10:48:33 AM
Wegmans is the best grocery store on the planet.
Most people who regularly shop at Publix would probably disagree with you on that, lol.
That was a superlative intended mostly as humor, and to catch your attention
I just figured you were an employee.
[read: Takumi thinks Wegman's employees are stuck-up]
Or are you merely alluding to how many times they've made the "Best 100 Companies to Work For" list?
The latter. I actually like the layout of the store, but the closest one is half an hour from me.
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 03:57:20 PM
Quote from: Mapmikey on January 25, 2018, 03:52:58 PM
chains like Piggly Wiggly, Winn Dixie, BiLo, and Doschers.
Speaking of planets, that sounds like a bunch of grocery stores from another planet, if not another universe :wow: :pan:
Different chains, different areas. Around Chicagoland, there's Tony's, Jewel-Osco, Mariano's Fresh Market, Meijer, Walmart, Aldi, Food4Less, among others. Up north, in Wisconsin, there's Kroger, Pick 'n Save, Woodman's (with a couple Chicagoland locations), Piggy Wiggly, Sentry Foods, etc. Downstate, one can find Kroger, County Market, Schnuck's, Sullivan's Foods, etc (even Jewel-Osco, Meijer, and others).
I've never heard of Wegman's until I saw posts from folks out east.
Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2018, 03:57:20 PM
Quote from: Mapmikey on January 25, 2018, 03:52:58 PM
chains like Piggly Wiggly, Winn Dixie, BiLo, and Doschers.
Speaking of planets, that sounds like a bunch of grocery stores from another planet, if not another universe :wow: :pan:
QuoteWegman's is terrific on most fronts. My biggest criticism of them is that they constantly move entire sections of the store around...
We don't really have that problem... mostly just the occasional overhaul/update. Which sections do you find they tend to move around?
The only Wegmans where I've seen a major change in the layout is the one just west of Fairfax City. The wine department used to be downstairs in its own separate space, but they moved it upstairs to the same area as the beer (similar layout to the store near my neighborhood). The change made sense to me because it was a hassle having to make a separate trip downstairs, complete with a separate checkout, to buy wine. I have not been to that store in a while (no reason to go there) so I don't know what, if anything, they did with the downstairs space–I kind of suspected they might add another restaurant similar to "The Pub at Wegmans" in the store near me, but I don't know.
(FWIW, BTW, it's "Wegmans" with no apostrophe. According to their website, the apostrophe has "been missing in action since 1931, when the company incorporated and we simplified the logo. Believe it or not, adding an apostrophe to the sign on the front of each of our stores would cost more than a half million dollars! Not to mention changing the logo on all our products, bags, etc. Just think of it as the plural Wegmans, as in the many generations of Wegman family members that have built the company!")
^ Well, I guess I get to break the news. Grocery stores aren't allowed to sell wine or liquor in NYS. So no small wonder Wegmans was unsure how to handle that opportunity :-D
They do have plenty of their own (detached) liquor stores, including Century Liquor.
In Virginia they can sell wine and beer. No liquor–have to go to the state store for that.
Not only do I love Wegmans, but it appears that a majority Northern Virginians feel the same way. We currently have 7 Wegmans in the region with 3 or 4 more planned.
Ever since the Wegmans near me(Lake Manassas) opened up around 10 years ago, it has been indeed very interesting to watch the company's slow march south and how the battle with Publix(also very good) turns out in Richmond, Raleigh, and wherever else they may compete head to head. Gotta figure at some point both grocer giants decide to go west, its just a question of when...
The Wegmans marketing department thanks you all, I'm sure.
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 26, 2018, 05:08:10 AM
The Wegmans marketing department thanks you all, I'm sure.
They don't even need us to market for them. But, hey, it can't hurt them if we do, I guess :D
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 03:27:29 PM
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
FWIW, aside from the Wegmans in Charlottesville (as part of the Hoos' ongoing mission to make Albemarle County a NOVA outpost), it seems like the next direction of expansion will be towards the east into the Tidewater, with Williamsburg opening both a new Publix and Wegmans location this upcoming year, and Wegmans working on a location in Virginia Beach as well. There was an attempt to rezone some land to build one in Newport News (it would have gone right next to the VA-143 exit off I-64), but the city denied the request, citing existing supermarket density (11 within 2 miles, IIRC) and traffic concerns. Any westward expansion into the I-81 corridor and beyond would likely have to deal with fact that Kroger and Food Lion seem to have an utter stranglehold on this area. Wegmans could probably succeed by being more upmarket, but I'm not sure what the angle for Publix is over either.
Quote from: Thing 342 on January 27, 2018, 12:15:23 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 03:27:29 PM
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
FWIW, aside from the Wegmans in Charlottesville (as part of the Hoos' ongoing mission to make Albemarle County a NOVA outpost), it seems like the next direction of expansion will be towards the east into the Tidewater, with Williamsburg opening both a new Publix and Wegmans location this upcoming year, and Wegmans working on a location in Virginia Beach as well. There was an attempt to rezone some land to build one in Newport News (it would have gone right next to the VA-143 exit off I-64), but the city denied the request, citing existing supermarket density (11 within 2 miles, IIRC) and traffic concerns. Any westward expansion into the I-81 corridor and beyond would likely have to deal with fact that Kroger and Food Lion seem to have an utter stranglehold on this area. Wegmans could probably succeed by being more upmarket, but I'm not sure what the angle for Publix is over either.
Where’s the Publix in Williamsburg going to be? One of the shuttered Ukrops locations, or somewhere else? (And for that matter, where’s the Wegmans going?)
I’m a bit surprised Farm Fresh hasn’t tried to re-enter the Richmond market since several of the Martin’s stores were never sold. They briefly had a presence in the early-mid 90s under the name The Grocery Store.
Quote from: Takumi on January 27, 2018, 12:55:59 PM
Quote from: Thing 342 on January 27, 2018, 12:15:23 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 25, 2018, 03:27:29 PM
Will be interesting to see which chain "wins" Virginia, though I wouldn't be surprised if they wind-up just splitting the state and expanding westwards in their general regions.
FWIW, aside from the Wegmans in Charlottesville (as part of the Hoos' ongoing mission to make Albemarle County a NOVA outpost), it seems like the next direction of expansion will be towards the east into the Tidewater, with Williamsburg opening both a new Publix and Wegmans location this upcoming year, and Wegmans working on a location in Virginia Beach as well. There was an attempt to rezone some land to build one in Newport News (it would have gone right next to the VA-143 exit off I-64), but the city denied the request, citing existing supermarket density (11 within 2 miles, IIRC) and traffic concerns. Any westward expansion into the I-81 corridor and beyond would likely have to deal with fact that Kroger and Food Lion seem to have an utter stranglehold on this area. Wegmans could probably succeed by being more upmarket, but I'm not sure what the angle for Publix is over either.
Where's the Publix in Williamsburg going to be? One of the shuttered Ukrops locations, or somewhere else? (And for that matter, where's the Wegmans going?)
I'm a bit surprised Farm Fresh hasn't tried to re-enter the Richmond market since several of the Martin's stores were never sold. They briefly had a presence in the early-mid 90s under the name The Grocery Store.
Publix is going into an old Martin's location near the VA-321 / VA-199 interchange. I can't actually find a source for Wegmans, all I remember is hearing that there was one planned in Williamsburg for 2018, but haven't heard anything since. Perhaps it was cancelled after the Newport News plan was scuttled last year.
Gotcha. That's in the shopping center with Target. Now that I think about it, I think the abandoned Ukrops on Mooretown, which closed before Ahold bought them, has a tenant now. I could be wrong.
Quote from: Thing 342 on January 27, 2018, 01:05:50 PM
I can't actually find a source for Wegmans, all I remember is hearing that there was one planned in Williamsburg for 2018, but haven't heard anything since. Perhaps it was cancelled after the Newport News plan was scuttled last year.
Not listed at https://www.wegmans.com/about-us/future-store-locations.html
Wegmans is closing its Pub restaurants permanently.
https://www.richmond.com/food-drink/restaurant-news/wegmans-to-close-all-of-its-restaurant-pubs-including-the-two-in-the-richmond-area/article_0e076d2c-187b-5375-b78b-f4762c81b2ff.html
Quote from: Takumi on July 08, 2020, 11:30:15 AM
Wegmans is closing its Pub restaurants permanently.
https://www.richmond.com/food-drink/restaurant-news/wegmans-to-close-all-of-its-restaurant-pubs-including-the-two-in-the-richmond-area/article_0e076d2c-187b-5375-b78b-f4762c81b2ff.html
I wonder what the lasting implications will be for the long-term trends toward the so-called "grocerant" , which blurs the lines separating grocery retail from take out and quick-service–and in the case of at least Wegmans, full-service–restaurants.
Prior to the pandemic, there had already been a sorting out of lower end of the grocery marketplace, with the lowest tier of grocers (like Aldi) focused solely on retailing packaged foods at bottom-dollar prices, and the the lower middle tier expanding offerings of made-to-order, ready-to-eat foods. Upscale grocers appeared to be targeting a Panera/Starbucks-type audience with indoor and outdoor dining areas creating inviting spaces to eat, drink, and perhaps even catch up on some remote work. Wegmans went further than any grocer I've encountered with its full-service Pub dining concept.
In Pennsylvania, anyway, part of the justification for dining service in grocery stores has been to facilitate sales of beer and wine, which under PA law can be sold from a restaurant operation inside a grocery store but not by the grocery store itself. But since the pandemic, a number of alcohol controls have been loosened, so the "restaurant" charade may not be necessary in the long term.
But still, the national trend toward grocerants is independent of the peculiarities of Pennsylvania law, although it seems to be quite threatened by the current need for social distancing and the re-evaluation of in-person grocery shopping's place in our daily lives.
Quote
In Pennsylvania, anyway, part of the justification for dining service in grocery stores has been to facilitate sales of beer and wine, which under PA law can be sold from a restaurant operation inside a grocery store but not by the grocery store itself. But since the pandemic, a number of alcohol controls have been loosened, so the "restaurant" charade may not be necessary in the long term.
But still, the national trend toward grocerants is independent of the peculiarities of Pennsylvania law, although it seems to be quite threatened by the current need for social distancing and the re-evaluation of in-person grocery shopping's place in our daily lives.
Oddly, four of the twelve Pubs were here in Virginia, which only has peculiarities on liquor sales (if not consumed on premises, liquor can only be sold through state-owned ABC stores). I wonder if that was a way to get around that. As mentioned up thread, the closest Wegmans to me is half an hour away without traffic, so I can count on my hands the number of times I've been in one. Meanwhile, Publix continues aggressively expanding within the Richmond area, with at least two stores under construction in Chesterfield County (both known ones are in the Midlothian area). There's something being built in the old Martin's space in Chester next to the I-95/VA 10 interchange, but there weren't any signs for what was going there last I checked. The facade being built around the entrance looks like it could be Publix, though.
Also upthread I mentioned I was surprised Farm Fresh of Hampton Roads hadn't tried re-entering the Richmond market, not realizing at the time that they actually have a store in downtown Richmond. However, that's the only one in the area that I know of.