<p>frazzled1 - I mentioned that they constantly rearranged the produce at Wegmans to my dad, who has spent the last 25 or so years working in grocery stores. He gave the same reason as your friend - they want customers to spend more time looking for the produce they want so they’ll see and buy more.</p>
<p>To add to my earlier post, my favorite Wegmans purchase during one of my few times shopping while visiting my daughter is a brightly colored Mexican pottery condiment dish consisting of 2 small bowls that look like pigs, with a handle between to carry it. it was under $8. It is the biggest conversation piece and I love it! I had only taken a carry-on but managed to fit it in for the trip home. They had other pieces that I loved, but I would have had to ship them. We live in an area with access to a lot of Mexican pottery but I have never seen this before.</p>
<p>I am a vegetarian, so wasn’t interested in the meat, but my husband was disappointed with the meat department. He said there was a poor selection in the prepackaged meats as if they wanted you to go to their butcher counter and get your meat there.</p>
<p>I agree about the meat. No flavor. </p>
<p>My favorite things are the pretzel rolls and coconut macaroons in the bakery. My friend loves the mix your own trail mix station. We have a new Wegman’s about 15 minutes from our house.</p>
<p>I second (or third) the comment about Wegman’s amazing customer service. I have had employees walk me to my car under an umbrella when it was raining out and then tell me to get in the car while they loaded the groceries into my car. And they will take back any product for any reason, no problem.</p>
<p>We buy the Wegmans store brand of almost everything. My daughter says that when she moves away she is going to have to find a town that has a Wegmans. She doesn’t want to live without it!</p>
<p>I grew up with Weggies (upstate NY). They will not build a store in our area because the per capita income is not high enough - down here in PA they are a “destination” grocery shop, and pick and choose where to build, not like the old days in Rochester where they were everywhere.</p>
<p>I just had their Moroccan Lentil soup and the Cinnamon Pecan shortbreads for lunch, Yum!!</p>
<p>I’ve been to the one in my son’s college town in PA and have bought sushi to take to the hotel room - it was good similar what I can get at our local Whole Foods or Ralph’s Fresh Fare. We’ve bought beer ther too they had a good selection. Being from California it’s intersting how different it is to buy alcohol in different parts of the country - here you can buy everything beer, wine, liquor in all grocery stores.</p>
<p>I moved from CA to PA and must say the liquor laws here are archaic. At some retailers you can buy a max of two sixes of beer. If you want a case you have to go to a different kind of store. And another (state-owned) store altogether for hard liquor and wine. It has only been in the last few years that some liquor stores are open on Sunday.</p>
<p>I shop at Wegman’s every week and have never bought anything in the food court except sushi. I go for the huge selection of quality produce (e.g. eight varieties of apples, not counting organics), international ingredients and “natural” foods. They have a great selection of whole grain breads and I am addicted to the kalmata olive rolls. I ordered a couple of cheese trays for a party last night and the cheeses were fabulous and the presentation was beautiful. </p>
<p>Another thing that amazes me is the huge array of prepped produce, everything from mirepoix to a tray of a dozen mixed melon balls. I am not so pressed for time that I buy that sort of thing but apparently many people do. I have noticed that the locked case of truffles has disappeared from the mushroom section in my store.</p>
<p>I live in NYC and drive to Wegmans in New Jersey. After factoring in the tolls, I save close to $70 per week by shopping there. Also, the aisles and parking lot are very wide and user friendly, so shopping there is not a contact sport.</p>
<p>Zoosermom, I live in NY suburb, and went to the store in Woodbridge,NJ. large, lovely store, about an hour away. Similar to Stew Leonards in the prepared food, produce, bakery and specialty items. But so much more extensive in organic and their own product line. i wish there was one was closer.</p>
<p>Milkandsugar, that is where I shop. My family loves the calzones. I eat a luscious lemon cream cake by myself every week. The store brand is really a bargain</p>
<p>awwhh… You guys are making me feel bad of not going into this store, after seeing it in the College Town where we just dropped off our Freshman. Oh well… I’ve got the next four years to visit.</p>
<p>I wish I had shopped for more items, as it was I spent more than I should. I missed out on the pet aisle and would have loved to walk around the liquor store. Do they have any of their own brand of wine? I will be grilling the wild salmon and having the fresh corn tonight. Thoroughly satisfied with everything so far.</p>
<p>What’s not to love about Wegmans? Every time I visit my mom in Virginia, I have to take her their muffins and the coconut macaroons. I am also a fan of their store brand - cheaper than pretty much anything else around.</p>
<p>The Costco in Edison NJ has a liquor store. It’s not tht far from the Woodbridge Wgemans.</p>
<p>Thanks for mentioning Stew Leonard’s, milkandsugar. As I was reading through these posts, I was thinking…“Is it more like Stew Leonard’s, or Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s” or all or none of the above? How do the prices compare to Whole Foods, which, frankly I feel is overpriced and would shop there more if the prices were more reasonable…I go to Stew Leonard’s on rare occasion since it’s a hike to get there, but I notice there is a Wegman’s @an hour away from here, so is it worth the trip sometime?? I do enjoy going to gourmet shops when I’m in the area or sometimes will make a special trip…</p>
<p>Chocchipcookie, it’s more like Stew Leonards with some of Whole Foods mixed in.But it has a very large and extensive brand items,especially organic foods including their own k-cups, condiments, pasta and sauces. a large freshly prepared section with soups, sushi,etc. And a great bakery. I think it is definitely worth a trip, but for me a weekly visit is too much as I live an hour away. Maybe once in a while as a destinatiin trip when there is time. Prices for their brands are very reasonable. Tomatoe Basil Pasta sauce was .99a jar. Spaghetti pasta was .69 a box. A Very generous size box of bakery mini cookies were 2 for 5.00 dollars with plenty variety to choose from.</p>
<p>The yellow cupcakes with chocolate and peanut butter frosting are among the best things I have ever eaten.</p>
<p>^^Thanks, milkandsugar…I’ll definitely give them a try when I’m in the area! My all time favorite cookies are from Stew Leonard’s…ever have those chocolate pecan crispy, chewy cookie? I forget the name but they are soooooo yummy. I almost never buy them because we eat the box rather quickly! 
Anyway, thanks for the info…I’ll save my $$ and bring a cooler with me! ;)</p>
<p>Just saw your post, zoosermom: I love peanut butter! Oy, need to stay away!!</p>