As you likely know, Wegmans Food Markets
announced it was opening an outpost — the first in Manhattan for the chain — back on Thursday... taking over the two-level space from
the just-closed Kmart here at 770 Broadway.
By Friday, the Wegmans signage was up... the store is expected to be operating by the second half of 2023 on Astor Place ...
The reaction by EVG readers, via comments, emails, DMs, etc., was
generally favorable.
Some people appreciated the thought of a first-class grocery coming to the area, a welcome alternative to, say, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. A few folks said they found Wegmans to be overrated and overpriced. Some people said they will miss Kmart. And a handful of commenters were turned off by the perceived celebration of a chain. (And for the record, I've never been to a Wegmans, so I don't have an opinion on their stores.)
Among his observations:
• Any talk of the demise of urban living — and urban shopping — can be tossed aside with this Wegmans' move. It validates the premise that younger generations (and older ones too who don't want to move) are going to continue to choose living in a big city as opposed to the suburbs, small towns and all points in between.
Young families with kids or about to have kids will go that route — as they have for every generation since the end of World War II — but anyone thinking this was the beginning of the end of urban destinations like New York City needs to rethink that theory.
Stay tuned for more analysis about Wegmans over the next two years!
