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Wegmans' opening day draws serious shoppers and plenty of foodie tourists to Central Park's Celebrate Virginia Date published: 6/22/2009
BY LAURA MOYER
Nicholas and Andrew Pisani had the right attitude yesterday as they navigated the packed aisles of Fredericksburg's new Wegmans with their mom, Jennifer. "We like adventures," said Nicholas, 11. "And we got hit by a cart!" added Andrew, 8. It was exciting stuff for the intrepid Pisani team, who made the 70-minute trip from their home in With company coming later in the afternoon, Jennifer and the boys efficiently maneuvered through people-packed aisles and amassed a cartful of steaks, corn and a store-made Key lime pie before heading to one of the 27 checkout lines. They detoured just long enough to snag some samples--a taste of cinnamon cake, some Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese just chipped off the wheel, and a couple of spoonfuls of butter brickle ice cream. Customer Patsy Coleman headed to the new store right after church, still dressed in a lacy white frock, stylish summer hat, hose and heels. But as a shopper she was all business, clutching a sheaf of Wegmans coupons and keeping an eye out for bargains. "I'm an educated consumer," she said. "I shop where the deal is good." Other Wegmans customers took a more leisurely approach, pushing two-tiered shopping carts through crowded aisles but only occasionally adding an item. It was reconnaissance, really--learning what was available, where things were, and how much stuff cost. Employees were deployed throughout the store to answer questions and give directions. It wasn't always simple. Shoppers soon realized that a question like "Where's the bread?" doesn't have just one answer. There's bread at the in-store bakery, all different kinds, made daily. And there's bagged bread in the more traditional grocery aisles. They're not close together. In the sprawling wine section, a customer asked, "Where's your Riesling?" only to be pointed in one direction for domestic, another for imported--then led by an employee to do a more specific search. For much of the day yesterday, the right side of the 139,000-square-foot store was far more crowded than the left. That's where customers found the bakery, the extensive cheese shop and several mind-boggling meat counters.
There have been groceries stores to come in and close up, some change their name, current ones build bigger ones.
For Ukrops they keep the Golden Rule: Honor thy Sabbath Day and keep it Holy. With that thy shall not fail.
I love Wegman's, especially the bakery. I have not made it down to the new one yet, but look forward to going once the crowds loose some interest. And f4td4ddy, I almost always park in the back of the parking lot, for the extra exercise; putting a sign up like the one you mentioned is pretty funny. :-)
Given the traffic in and around Central Park, I don't think I'll be headed there too often. My frozen food would probably thaw out by the time it'd take me to navigate back out of Central Park and down 3.
In a New York Wegmans where my thin brother lives, there's a sign way out at the end of the parking lot that says "this spot is reserved for those who would rather park farther away and get a bit of exercise walking to the store." And you know what? Someone was parked there. I bet if there's a sign like that at our new Wegman's it'll be empty 100% of the time.
a family owned business, known for outstanding, personlized customer service and perenially ranks as one of the best companies to work for in the US. Neither store sells tobacco products but Wegmans is open on Sunday and sells beer/wine.
I'm not suggesting that I want Ukrop's to close---only pointing out that there relative advantages are fewer in number with Wegmans in town
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