Wegmans — Local services in Charlottesville

Wegmans is it's own special wonderland. Being a newcomer to this family owned chain is a delight and adventure. Seriously. I avoided the first two weeks when the store opened, correctly figuring that I'd be overwhelmed with anything more than the store and employees in their own. Finally, around 10:00 pm one eve, I needed some groceries and Wegmans is open from 6:00 am to midnight every day! (thank you!)

I walked out of the store just before midnight, with bags full of delights and a complete sense of bewilderment and joy. Mind you, when I get home, I realize I completely missed the produce section and about half of the isles that first trip.

They do have store maps. And I'm not usually one to download specific store apps to my phone, but this one is a MUST. You can create shopping lists and it will let you know if the product is currently available in inventory, along with where it is in the store. Which is awesome. You can also add notes on items and access your purchase details to remember the things you might want to buy again, or not (that didn't seem totally likely but there's always something). You also get digital coupons on the app that automatically apply to your checkout when you scan your card which is nice. Plus they send you ones through postal mail if you wish and you get a free full size bottle of their garlic and herb basting oil which is really good!

I have been back two other evenings so far and the produce section is great, and I'm still working my way through all the isles. 65,000 products is a lot to process. I do need to make a point of going when the hot food bars are open though. Every bit of prepared food I've tried has been delicious.

I've been in Charlottesville for a long time and typically my grocery trips involve driving over to 29 to make the rounds at Costco, Trader Joe's, Kroger, and Whole Foods. Having lived on the east side of town, Food Lion and giant have been the only options and neither has ever done much in the East of standing out. There are all definitely a few items from each of those respective stores I will continue to get, but between the selection, the quality the prices, and the location... I don't think you can beat Wegmans. The cheeses, the wines, the meat department, the dessert case... Everything really. Omgoodness!

It's truly a wonderful...

When Wegman's opened, my thoughts ran: "this is a really nice store. Food prices, about the same as Kroger, maybe cheaper. The booze is definitely cheaper. The hot bar is too salty, but it's handy to have nonetheless. Plus they have ABC on. You can get your own 12-pack & drink with friends on the porch. This is secretly the best bar in town. Nice."

Then: "in fact, it's a little too nice. I bet the booze is a loss-leader & they are gonna creep the prices up to above Kroger. Maybe even to Harris Teeter levels. Probably the booze too eventually."

Well, they haven't quite hit Harris Teeter levels & the booze is still reasonable, but for the most part I was exactly correct a year later. Still, I would buy groceries there in appreciation for the ABC on. Where else can you buy 3 friends 3 nice beers each, drink em in the sun in a free cup, & drop Didn't stop the price creep. Hot bar closed too.

So my question for you is this: "Why would you shop at Wegmans 2022?"

Aldi is a far better deal. Lidl too. (oddly we have one of the more upscale Aldis... and the most trailer-park Lidl ever.) Kroger is a solid gitter done all at once choice. Better prices, decent produce. (Get beer & wine elsewhere.) For wine Trader Joes is a much better deal. Lidl too. And World Market (I presume, been a while.) Lidl has good cheap house beers. For the dozen or so things that are actually a good deal at costco, Costco (TP, olive oil, nuts, coffee, half&half, butter, roast chicken, mayo, gas, & some prepared foods I hear.) That sounds like damnation by faint praise, but it's not. When I say good deals I'm not kiddin. Coffee, gas, & TP especially. Trader Joes beats everyone for frozen food quality, and the prices are reasonable. Whole Paycheck has a good hot bar. And I think ABC on? I gotta look into that.

So to answer my own question, you go to Wegmans:

A. to get a reasonably priced 12-pack or some wine or B. you're busy & snotty about where you shop but not Whole Paycheck snotty or C. you haven't thought holistically about shopping in C'ville.

Damnation by faint praise? Yes....

Title: A Frustrating Experience at Wegmans in Charlottesville

On December 29, 2022, I had an unexpected and frustrating experience while shopping at the Wegmans grocery store in Charlottesville, Virginia. The store's fire alarm went off, and what followed left me disappointed with the way the situation was handled.

I had been diligently preparing for New Year's Eve, filling my cart with a variety of groceries when the fire alarm suddenly disrupted my shopping trip. Naturally, the safety of customers is of utmost importance, and I understand the need to evacuate the store during such an emergency. However, it was the way the situation was managed that left me dissatisfied.

Firstly, the employees at Wegmans did not seem adequately prepared to handle the situation. There was a lack of clear guidance or assistance for customers like myself who had a cart full of groceries. With no direction from the staff, I was forced to leave my cart behind and head outside, waiting by my SUV until the fire trucks arrived and eventually left the premises.

This ordeal was not only inconvenient but also discouraging. As a loyal customer, I expected a more efficient and customer-centric response from Wegmans during this emergency. It was disheartening to see that most customers chose to abandon their shopping and leave, which is a testament to the lack of communication and support during the fire alarm.

In the end, I was told I could return to the store to purchase the items in my cart, but the overall experience left a bitter taste. Wegmans should prioritize the safety of its customers, but it should also ensure that they feel valued and supported in situations like this. A loyal customer should not be left waiting outside during a fire alarm without proper guidance or assistance.

While I appreciate the store's commitment to safety, I hope that Wegmans will take this feedback into account to improve their emergency response procedures and ensure that customers are better informed and assisted during unexpected situations...