Call me crazy but with a barbeque on the Quad to feed dozens of hungry students on Sunday night I needed to get lots of provisions. And as the purchases are normally made on a Wegmans charge card and the new Wegmans was opening right there in Liverpool--I had to go. Just had to.
This was a spur of the moment excursion and I had no time to write the necessary letters to get permission to take photos inside the store so there are none. For now, these exterior shots will have to suffice.
So what's the big deal you ask? Actually, I'm asking that too. But first let me say that I do my regular Wegmans shopping at the Dewitt store--one of the largest in Upstate New York. I don't know what the old Liverpool Wegmans was like but I suspect that this upgrade was due. This one is larger than the one they closed but not as large as Dewitt. But aside from the changes in the floor tile, lighting (which was a tad too dark for me--particularly in the produce section), and the beautiful murals depicting scenes around the region--I couldn't tell much difference. It may be because this new store added amenties and features that have long been in place in Dewitt. Though I'll grant that the hordes of people may have made it more difficult to see the finer changes.
The interior layout seemed to be the same. In fact, I was able to buy $100.00 worth of grilling food, utensils, condiments, (organic and conventional) without ever looking at a map--the layout is that similar. I'm not a food store specialist so much of it is probably beyond me. I do, however, have degrees in architecture and historic preservation but I'm not going to get into critiquing the exterior facade here. But to state the obvious, those second story windows don't actually let any natural light onto the shopping floor.
But I don't begrudge Wegmans the desire for a fresh look. What, with the clock tower and the outdoor seating at the Market Cafe the architecture begins to echo the reality that for many, Wegmans is the public square. (And what is it with the cafes that front parking lots?)
Last week when I took my folks from the Bahamas through the Dewitt Wegmans they couldn't believe it-they had that predictable look of incredulity that a Wegmans virgin gets in their eyes. You have to admit, Wegmans is really unlike any other supermarket. When I told them that this store was expanding they kept asking why. It has been reported that when it is done the Dewitt Wegmans will once again be the largest in the chain. I'll take the upgrades and the new exterior--fine. But what more can they sell us?
Oooh, they're expanding the Dewitt Wegmans? Tell me more.
Posted by: art-sweet | August 30, 2006 at 12:55 AM
Hee hee, "Wegman's virgin." You're so right about that!
Posted by: Laura Rebecca | August 30, 2006 at 07:52 AM
I've heard that Wegmans has plans in front of the Dewitt Town Board for its expansion. The store plans to increase the size of the Dewitt location using the property where Service Merchandise used to sit. The expanded store will feature a much larger Nature's Market, among other things.
This has been in the works since the demolition of Service Merchandise. I don't know why it has taken so long to come about.
Posted by: Denise | August 30, 2006 at 07:53 AM
I was a little shocked to hear they were making the DeWitt Wegmans "the largest in the chain", as its already huge. I don't often shop there since I get overwhelmed, (and buy 100 things I didn't intend to.. but I guess thats their purpose, huh?) Instead I tend to do all of my shopping at Green Hills.
BTW..any ideas what they plan to do with the Chase Pitkin building next door? A comment mentioned the old Service Merchandise location (which seriously predates my residency in Syracuse.. I'm a newbie)
Posted by: Carla | August 30, 2006 at 09:55 AM
For those who get overwhelmed by Wegman's, there's help available. On their website, under "easy shopping" there's an online shopping list. It allows you to search/browse the store and create/print a shopping list that will be organized BY AISLE. Perfect for someone who's not only forgetful but has a short attention span too!
Although some of the search results are stupid to the point of being comical, it's pretty handy. If you use any of their recipes, you can add the items to your shopping list, right from the recipe.
'Bout the only thing you CAN'T do is add items from their online flyer.
Posted by: David | August 30, 2006 at 07:09 PM
I went to the Pittsford UBERWEGS a few weeks ago... although we really only stopped there to go to the bathroom. It is gargantuan. The John Glenn location (Liverpool) used to be "my" store when I lived in Liverpool. It was one of the older versions that didn't have many of the amenities of the Dewitt store (which we refer to as the Wegmopolis).
Posted by: Stefanie Noble | August 30, 2006 at 09:21 PM
Stefanie--I love it--Uberwegs! Wegmopolis! Perfect! I went to the Pittsford Wegmans on Saturday and you are right. Though its interesting--that Wegmans has a slightly different layout than the one in Dewitt--it is more like the Princeton and Burlington, New Jersey Wegmans I used to shop at when I lived in Morristown a few years back. The new Liverpool store is more like the Dewitt layout and so I wonder how the expanded Dewitt location will be.
Posted by: Jennifer | September 06, 2006 at 10:04 AM
I should note that it was Joe's friend John that named most of the Wegs we visited in Syracuse. The other two we frequented were the Pond St one (which is now the closest one to me) and the James St. one. They are The Wegging Post and Fort Weg, respectively.
I have to admit a fondness for the little Wegs and their anachronistic signage - Pond St. especially. I've actually written to Wegmans to inform them that I would be very sad if they ever changed their logo.
Hmmm... I should have studied the changing face of Wegmans through the years as my thesis topic.
Posted by: Stefanie Noble | September 09, 2006 at 07:15 AM
As much as it's possible, Wegmans is literally in my backyard here in Liverpool. The location they moved out of was the very first Wegmans in central New York. It was nice and cozy, but all the other stores had passed it by, and there was a larger one up the street on Route 31 where you could find things the smaller one didn't have, as well as another one on Taft Road that had gone through a major upgrade. This had to happen, and I was there at 7:45AM the day the store opened; yeah, a nut. I love the new store, though I'm going to have to go without my wife so I can just walk as slow as possible and look at everything I want to look at. :-)
Posted by: Mitch | September 10, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Mitch--welcome, and thanks for posting a comment. Like you, I want to go back and take a more leisurely walk through. But living that close would be waaayy too tempting for me!
Posted by: Jennifer | September 17, 2006 at 02:55 AM