Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Wegmans makes its Manhattan debut this Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. on Astor Place.
Ahead of the big day, Wegmans officials invited me inside for another look as the 87,500-square-foot space comes together for opening day at the landmarked 770 Broadway...
As previously noted, the ground floor will feature the prepared foods ready to eat or heat, and a market offering in-store-made soups, salads, pizza, a mezze station, sandwiches, an Asian foods station with woks and chefs, a bakery, and a flower shop...
There is even a misting cheese cave area. (MISTING CHEESE!)
This past Thursday, the two-level space was teeming with new employees going through a test run... with staff sampling some of the offerings that Wegmans has...
The ground-floor showstopper might be the Japanese sakanaya (fish market), featuring twice-weekly deliveries from Japan.
Wegmans staffer Adrian shows the variety of cuts that Wegmans will offer...
The lower level features the vast grocery aisles ...
... there also looks to be a solid beer selection...
... including an only-at-this-location Astor Place IPA...
See you Wednesday...
Our previous post (see link below) has more details on the space, the home of Kmart for 25 years until July 2021.
Previously on EV Grieve:
39 comments:
Let's go!
Thanks Stacie once again for the " Sneak Peek Access" - this store is massive and soon everyone will love it ( that is if the prices are good)
I think I've finally hit that age where I'm way too excited about a grocery store opening.
AWESOME!
Always liked the wide aisles in Upstate Wegmans stores. Enough for two carts to pass in opposite directions. Looks like they preserved that here. Will be curious to see the ratio of full-service to self-service checkouts (a reason why I lately prefer Trader Joe's over Whole Foods), how clean their seafood and slicing deli departments are, what the restroom situation will be like, whether they can find and keep enough quality people to staff that huge space (they DO often show up in surveys as a good place to work) and finally, what the prices will be like.
Hoping they pull it off.
Indeed, Anonymous 10:05. And when the appearance of the weekly sales circular becomes an anticipated high point.
I'm in
Not gonna lie, I'm excited, but shop is my middle name after all. (Live Shop Die)
So happy to have an alternative to check out. Hopefully it is bye bye Whole Foods and the other overpriced neighborhood markets but I think my expectations may be too great. I know those photos are probably wide angle but large aisles and more choice is exciting. Who'd of thunk a large market would be exciting but if you have lived here a long time it is. Anyone have any suggestions about shopping Wegman's? Like what is their deal? Coupons good? Need to have the app? How is their produce etc? Do they have bulk food? (Will never give up on the Good Food Coop or Farmer's Markets though.)
My friend who lives in Brooklyn says this store is life changing. I don't know much about Wegmens. Is she right?
Craft beer? Sushi? Charcuterie? It's too bougie, too big, too clean, too expensive. Not enough vegan options.
It should have been affordable housing instead or a mental health clinic. At the very least it should have a needle exchange/ shoot up room. I hate it.
(sarcasm)
Looks exactly the same as the one I shopped at in Ocean Township N J.
What a great addition to the EV!
I am so ready to dump Whole Foods — their quality has really gone down since Amazon took over. I hope Wegmans can fill the gap.
10:05, me too, I’ve been thinking about this for months!
I’m excited but it’s going to be a wreck the first few months
Does anyone know what their security protocol is? Do they use sensor tags, facial recognition?
Feels like some sort of watershed, end/start of an era. In any case the biggest excitement in our little neighborhood for some time.
It would be good to learn more about Wegmans plans for community engagement particularly in the area of food insecurity which is a growing issue for many of our neighbors.
No way, Jose... that's not their problem or responsibility. Everyone doesn't have to be a charity. Let the grocery store live, bro.
When I was a student at SUNY Binghamton until the early 90s a Wegmans arrived. It was, compared to the other choices. A "revelation".
They had to add another line to the student bus shuttle line to accommodate the hoards going over.
What a ridiculous thing to say.
I first learned about Wegmans when I lived in Easton, PA. Shopping there was always a pleasure. I still remember the name of the deli associate who always made me feel appreciated and welcomed. Looking at these photos brought back fond memories. I'm excited about this opening and have been looking forward to 18 Oct Opening Day for months!
I first learned about Wegmans when I lived in Easton, PA. Shopping there was always a pleasure. I still remember the name of the deli associate who always made me feel appreciated and welcomed. Looking at these photos brought back fond memories. I'm excited about this opening and have been looking forward to 18 Oct Opening Day for months!
Hey ho - any other Wegmans haters out there? I tried their food once and was beyond underwhelmed. I’m hoping it was a fluke.
Wegman s has been voted best place to work for many years. They treat their employees well . Listen, I prefer going to a separate butcher, fish monger, bakery but if I have to pick a corporate supermarket they are the one. Do you think they will compact their trash like Whole Foods ? ( if not it will definitely be a great new freegan dive!)
Super excited because Whole Foods is a dumpster fire at this point. And Trader Joe's is okay for some things, but I betting Wegman's is better.
Wegmans donates over 14 million pounds of food every year and always partner with local food banks for weekly donations.
Get the app. Has all the coupons, meal ideas, recipes, and aisles the product you’re looking for. Wegmans has been on the top 10 places to work for since the list started over 20 years ago. They are the real deal. I should know. I worked for them.
This destination could be good for the EV economy. People can visit and make a whole day out of their grocery outing. "Like Omg, there is this cute little neighborhood right next to the Wegmans!"
I'm overwhelmed by the overwhelming comments. When I saw 30 I braced for the worst. Happy to see everyone happy for a change!
Key Foods!! ALWAYS. Grumpy, deals, and just the F U to those who love! 24 hours ! Love it!
Loved me my Wegman's in Ithaca, NY and love my Wegman's now in Henrico, VA. I hope you love yours too!
I feel like I've walked into a party where everyone is on E except me. I've never seen so much excitement over a grocery store. I hope it lives up to the hype.
I am so in love with Wegmans I went to the one in Brooklyn by the old navy yard and I loved it it’s like heaven I’m so happy that they are here now in Manhattan
ALSO: Trader Joe’s wine shop is reopening. Saw them affixing signage to the windows earlier.
Dear Wegmans, finally stopped in today and it was pretty much everything I had hoped for. But ONE bathroom for a place that size? And by “bathroom” I mean one toilet. And no signs pointing out where it is. It’s back in what looks like a restricted employee area. I rode the 6 train 15 minutes to get there. It takes an hour for even a cursory shopping spin around the whole store. Then checkout, a 5 minute wait for the bathroom and the ride home. At this point, I would say that’s your weakest link.
And apparently there's no pharmacy? I was looking forward to getting my flu shot from Dr. Wegman this year!
I like this Wegman's for it's overwhelming-ness. But PLEASE don't close the Morton Williams supermarket on Bleecker and La Guardia. It's perfect and they have good sales.
NOBODY will beat Trader Joe's prices and Whole Foods is a disaster.
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