Health & Fitness
Harford Anticipates Wegmans Opening
The only negatives of Wegmans opening is what it may do to impact business at other stores in the area. There is not another grocery store anywhere in the area that can compare.
Excitement is mounting since the date for the opening of Wegmans has been announced. . and just about everyone I have spoken to can’t wait for the grand opening.
has 75 stores in the Mid Atlantic area, with the closest store in Hunt Valley. Founded in 1916 in Rochester, NY, Food Markets, Inc. was ranked by Consumer Reports as the top large grocery chain in the United States in 2009. The family-owned company is as an industry leader and innovator. It has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by Fortune Magazine for consecutive years, and currently ranks #3 on the list.
If you haven’t been to a , be prepared to immerse yourself in an experience, not just another place to shop. Yes, all the normal groceries items, but the market will offer more than 70,000 individual products, including an extensive prepared foods department, fresh seafood delivered daily, up to 700 fresh produce items, and 300 varieties of imported and domestic cheese. They stock products from around the world, a kosher section, a natural foods section, a cheese section, a bakery section with fresh baked breads, pastries, pies, cakes, cookies and more. Did I there are always samples available? Also great is their prepared foods section with complete meals ready to stick in the oven or microwave and eat. Their fresh meats section offer cuts that are 4-5” thick and offer a wide variety of different not available anywhere else in the area. The same is true of their seafood section, which is phenomenal in the choices and sizes of various selections. Look for lots of seasonal merchandise, a gift and card section, a large floral department and a huge pharmacy as well. Need to cater an event? Wegmans is there for you too.
Wegmans Market Café offers so many choices. The meal offerings are varied (American, Italian, Indian, Thai, Southern Comfort/Soul, Chinese, Japanese, Vegetarian, on and on) and the seasoning seems thoughtful and deliberate. The chefs (yes, real chefs) prepare these many delicious choices. Soup, sandwiches, sushi and a buffet style Asian Wok are at the Hunt Valley store and hopefully here as well. Wegmans also has many events and classes.
Newly appointed store manager Al Jackson, a 22-year Wegmans’ veteran says. Mr. Jackson comes to Bel Air from the Hunt Valley store. Wegmans also brings needed jobs to our area, hiring over 600 employees.
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The only negatives of Wegmans opening is what it may do to impact business at other stores in the area. There is not another grocery store anywhere in the area that can compare to the Wegmans experience. Even with the huge chain, they do not begin to rival Wegmans for choices and competitive prices. The second is the increased traffic that will be in that stretch of 924. Crews have been hard at work on widening roads, and multiple entrances both on 924 and streets surrounding the Boulevard complex, and of course the ongoing work on Rt 24 will help make the area ready to handle the increased traffic. Right now Joe’s Crab Shack and PNC are other businesses that will be in the complex, with many more to come.
I know where I will be on Sept. 18. How about you?
