Wegmans — Attraction in Wilkes-Barre Township

Beware: all bagging options at checkout now cost $$$! Other local stores provide recyclable paper bags free of charge, at Wegman's you must either pay for each recyclable bag or buy a low-quality plastic "reusable" one that can be neither properly washed nor recycled.

Somehow Wegman's has convinced everyone that their capitalist move to transfer the entire cost of grocery bagging to the customer is "for the environment" - cleverly saying it “incentiviz[es] the use of reusable bags” - but the reusable plastic bags Wegman's sells are made from LDPE, a nonrenewable resource. They're not recyclable, have a bigger carbon footprint than disposable bags, quickly become unsanitary with regular use, wear out fast, and shed microplastics when washed. The petrochemicals used to create the so-called "green" LDPE bag can decompose for more than 500 years and cannot be recycled so 99% end up in landfills and oceans.

If the switch to paper bags was about the environment, wouldn't the reusable bags be recyclable, or at least made of a biodegradeable/sustainable fiber instead of more ocean-clogging plastic? And why aren't the recyclable paper bags complimentary???

No, this isn't about the earth - corporate Wegmans has simply transferred the entire cost of bagging to the customer and thinks you're stupid enough to simply feel good about that because they told you to.

Unlike other stores where customers pay for bags, like Aldi, Wegman’s isn’t passing any savings on to the customer. You get to assume the total cost of bagging while Wegmans continues to raise all other prices too, during a time of record inflation...

and if that's not enough, the cashiers are also too cowardly to tell you the bags cost money! They ask "do you want a bag" instead of "do you want TO BUY a bag". There is no sign warning customers of the added cost. So there's no way to tell the paper bags cost money unless you already know or check your receipt.

One more complaint, in case the above wasn't enough - the bags they make you buy are oversized, don't have handles and are very unwieldy. Is Wegmans trying to drive away the older and disbled folks with this one? I couldn't carry two bag at one time and I am able-bodied.

After this move by Wegman's I tried other local stores again and found they have improved a lot in the past 10 years and now stock many of the unusual items that drew me to Wegman's in the first place. While providing bagging options that are free of charge and care for seniors and...

I don't even know how to write a review for this place. This is, by far, the greatest supermarket I have ever had the pleasure of going to. There is always ample parking, and plenty of cart returns (which are covered - nice for when it's raining). From the moment you walk into the store, you are greeted by an enormous, beautiful produce section with great tasting fruits and veg, and a tremendous selection of it. They have fresh sushi that's made every day. I am normally not a fan of seafood, but I got a recommendation from the girl at the sushi counter and decided to give it a go, and it was fantastic. Their subs are to DIE for (and the rest of the deli food is phenomenal too). Great selection of craft and local beer, great selection of cheese, great selection of fresh loose leaf teas. HUGE organic/gluten-free section. Lots of top-quality meat, and it's some of the cheapest around too. All of the Wegmans brand products are absolutely terrific too, better than the name brands in many, many cases. Their brand pint of S'mores ice cream is heaven in a cup (practically moved to Pennsylvania just for this ice cream). They also have a decent international section with German products I haven't been able to get since I was a kid. All of the staff is friendly and helpful, and you NEVER have to wait in line because they always have like 20 registers open.

I just can't say enough good things about Wegmans. I don't think I will ever be able to live somewhere without a...

Greatest grocery store on the planet.

Great selection of items. It's not expensive; their staples and non-organic generics beat most of their competitors prices. The store is always clean, stocked, and organized. The employees are always helpful and friendly, even the younger ones which tells you the management definitely emphasizes the importance of great customer service to them during their training.

Pharmacy staff is amazing and helpful as our the kids working helping hands. There is a kids play area where you can drop off your kids, as long as they are potty trained, while you shop and a staff member watches them for you at no extra charge. They give you a pager if your child needs you.

They have a fabulous seasonal selection. I have purchased lots of dishes and decorations from their selection over the years. They have an extensive magazine and books section and even have a seating area where you can read.

They offer choice when it comes to health related items; vegan and vegetarian, organic, gluten free, essential oils, etc. If you're looking for it, more than likely they have it. They also have an ethnic foods sections. Each selection is limited to a small aisle but it does allow for some variety from other cultures.

There's the reason this store is always voted the best - it's because it is. They really value...