Why the excitement over Wegmans (Rochester, Webster: amusement parks, neighborhoods, grocer)

[5ive8ight5ive]

Originally Posted by 1nevets

I don't agree 5ive8ight5ive. I've never been to a Wegman's. Back in the late 8o's when I went to SUNY Binghamton all my friends who lived in the Rochester area raved about Wegman's, that included male and female. In the last year before I graduated, Wegman's was coming to Johnson City. There were many comments about how the rest of New York will see how a "real" supermarkets runs and these were teenagers. Living downstate I've never been in a Wegmans but there must be something to the store if young adults rave about it. It reminded me of the Bloomingdale's love affair back in the 70's.

I'm not saying men don't rave about it (they clearly do--just look at this thread), I'm saying they SHOULDN'T. Grocery store debates should be left to the housewives.

[1nevets]

Today, there are Househusbands.. LOL!!!!!!!

[5ive8ight5ive]

Originally Posted by 1nevets

Today, there are Househusbands.. LOL!!!!!!!

hahahahahhahahahahahahaha...You're right--I didn't think about that. Househusbands are welcome to continue this debate as well...all other men be ashamed...be very ashamed.

[Teddy X]

Wegman's was the best grocery in Upstate N.Y. when I was still in Rochester back in the days. My Dad (R.I.P.) had worked in Wegman's whare house for almost 30+ Years (Retired in 2000 and passed in 2004 of the End Of December in Louisiana)I miss my dad and had good memories of goin to the wharehouse when I was a young child back in the days. Miss thoes days 4 reals!

[HowardRoarke]

I don't get the fascination with Wegmans, either, but to each their own. That some consider their stores in Rochester to be tourist attractions indicates a lot of people in Monroe County have no lives to speak of.

[colton821]

Originally Posted by HowardRoarke

I don't get the fascination with Wegmans, either, but to each their own. That some consider their stores in Rochester to be tourist attractions indicates a lot of people in Monroe County have no lives to speak of.

Not really. I've taken people, who were from out of town, through Wegmans and they were pretty amazed by it.

When I recently when to college in Buffalo, and we took all our friends from downstate to a Wegmans when we first moved in to do some shopping and they couldn't believe it. For the next several years at school they wouldn't stop talking about how awesome Wegmans was and they would make several trips per week there. Today, now that they are back downstate, they still talk about how much they miss having Wegmans.

[notasmoker]

Given my moniker this won't surprise you, but I admire Wegmans for NOT selling smokes AT ALL, to anyone! That sends a very positive message about health.

[pete1061]

Yeah, folks (me included) from Rochester are a little weird about Wegmans. But it's not entirely without reason. it's a GOOD supermarket. decent prices, great selection, a variety of extra departments, friendly employees who are treated well by management. I worked in both Tops and Wegmans at different points when I was younger. Wegmans was the better place to work.
One of the best things about Wegmans is number of checkouts open at any given time.

Wegmans has been a pioneer of many of the practices in modern supermarkets. A lot of the nicer things found in chains across the country we're inspired by Wegmans.

I moved to so cal in my 20's and I don't know how many times I really missed having a wegmans. Los Angeles chains like VONS & Ralphs are terrible compared to good ol weggies.

But yes, HowardRoarke, folks in Monroe county don't have much of a life to speak of.

[marmom]

Originally Posted by pete1061

Yeah, folks (me included) from Rochester are a little weird about Wegmans. But it's not entirely without reason. it's a GOOD supermarket. decent prices, great selection, a variety of extra departments, friendly employees who are treated well by management. I worked in both Tops and Wegmans at different points when I was younger. Wegmans was the better place to work.
One of the best things about Wegmans is number of checkouts open at any given time.

Wegmans has been a pioneer of many of the practices in modern supermarkets. A lot of the nicer things found in chains across the country we're inspired by Wegmans.

I moved to so cal in my 20's and I don't know how many times I really missed having a wegmans. Los Angeles chains like VONS & Ralphs are terrible compared to good ol weggies.

But yes, HowardRoarke, folks in Monroe county don't have much of a life to speak of.

What a nice, balanced view of Wegman's! I must admit that I remain mystified by the Weggie's phenomenon - but I am not from Roch. After the hype from my husband's family (bless them, they are the best in-laws a woman could ask for), I half expected the entrance to Wegman's to be flanked by archangels. It is a very nice grocery store. I just don't understand why people talk about it so much and why it would be considered a tourist attraction. I am thrilled with Whole Foods and Trader Joes in the area where I live. Plus even my in-laws from Rochester acknowledged that the Smith's grocery stores here are comparable to Wegman's. Yet in a million years it would have never occurred to me to talk about any of these stores if it weren't for the residents of Rochester talking about Wegmans. No offense intended...it is great that you all have a place you love so much in the area!

[garmin239]

Wegmans isn't a tourist attraction. Most of the population thinks it's great, but will only bring it up when the topic of food comes up. There are plenty of other things to see and do other than a grocery store.