Wegmans — Local services in Wake Forest

NO STAR!

For 3 PLUS years I have been a patron of this location - literally 3 to 4 times every week. There is a Wegmans closer to my home, but I drive out of my way to utilize and support this location!

The presentation of merchandise, store cleanliness (inside and outside), the spirit/energy of the store, great and helpful employees, and quality of products (e.g., produce, meats, seafood, etc.) far exceeded other Wegmans in the area and other grocery stores. I truly did not have to shop anywhere else!

As a result of my frequent visits, I got to know the store manager/Patrick (he noticed I was a repeat shopper): he truly cares about people and honoring the Wegmans Way, as it relates to customers and the service we receive!

Patrick is truly a One-in-a-Million Manager! Other than myself, I had never known a manager to be "on the floor" kickin' it with customers and monitoring the store, more than hiding in his office! I shopped there so much he was known to walk over and say "hello (or can I help you find something)" or just give me a smile and a "hello" as we passed each other. It was clear he valued his customers as much as his store!

Due to business, I have not been in the store for a few months, until recently. First visit back (last week) I noticed new (not so pleasant) employees more than the familiar faces I learned over the years, spirit/energy of the store was not as bright, the produce section was filled with outdated and wilted products (this was alarming and new), cleanliness was down, couldn't find items because store layout has changed, influx of carts in the parking lot, and A BUNCH of other diminished changes. (This store did not fail or miss a beat during the horrible pandemic/quarantine but is struggling now... makes no sense!)

I said to myself "what is going on" and chalked it up to a bad day for the store!" The third visit (yesterday) was worse!

Finally I asked a rude Wegmans' cashier, "What had changed, had there been a change in management?" Another rep stepped over and answered my question: "Patrick is no longer with us..." (sad face)! My senses rarely fail... I KNEW something major had changed!

I was happy he went on to a better opportunity within the company! However, I am saddened that he is no longer the lead and anchor for this location, to the decrease in quality and service for this location. My motto: "The head" of anything sets the tone - for good or ill!

Needless to say, I will not be supporting this location as much: Customer Service Excellence (which is my career) and what I do with my money are very, very important to me - in other words, I have no time or...

Hark! Attend ye well, good gentles, for I shall now sing praises most lofty of the grand emporium known as Wegmans, nestled in Wake Forest as a jewel upon the crown of commerce. Verily, upon mine entrance into this hallowed hall of provisions, mine eyes did feast upon an abundance most bounteous—fruits of a succulence divine, meats tender as the whispers of a lover, and breads whose aroma could stir the slumbering soul to rapturous delight.

Lo! The aisles, wide as the halls of kings, doth invite the weary traveler to peruse at leisure, whilst the keepers of this grand bazaar, clad in garments most humble yet noble in their toil, dost serve with a kindness most rare in this age of haste. Behold! The sushi bar, a wonder most unexpected, wherein rolls of the sea’s finest bounty are crafted with artistry rivaling the great masters of old. The cheese counter, a kingdom of dairy delights, where wheels of aged gold rest in splendor, awaiting the favor of the discerning tongue.

Yet soft! In this haven of earthly pleasures, I beheld a truth most profound, a wisdom echoing from the green-hued sage of lore—Shrek himself, the great oracle of the swamp. For as the ogre didst teach us that ogres are like onions, possessing layers untold, so too is Wegmans layered in its splendor. A place not merely for the gathering of sustenance, but for the nourishment of the soul, where one may wander and discover delights unforeseen. And, like Shrek who found solace not in the halls of lords but in the simple joys of friendship and self-acceptance, so too doth one learn that true riches are not in the mere filling of one’s larder, but in the moments of joy, the kindness of strangers, and the delight of finding thy perfect pint of ice cream in the frozen tundra of dairy delights.

Thus, I beseech thee, good folk, shouldst thou find thyself in Wake Forest, let not this treasure pass thee by! For in the halls of Wegmans lies not just sustenance for the body, but wisdom for the soul. And as Shrek didst once say, “Better out than in, I always say”—so, too, shouldst thou cast forth thy doubts and enter, for a most wondrous...

I am originally from Buffalo, NY, so Wegmans is my hometown grocery store. I have been shopping there for decades and usually have excellent experiences. And, so, it was a major disappointment when I could not get the help that I needed when I visited today.

Recently, a newborn kitten was abandoned on my property. I have limited assistance for help watching her when I run errands, so I often wind up having to take her with me. The staff at Wegmans was friendly and accommodating of my situation on previous visits, but today we were abruptly kicked out of the store. I completely understand having a policy that doesn’t allow animals, and I would not normally bring an animal into the grocery store. However, this kitten is so young that she cannot be left alone, cannot go to the bathroom without stimulation, and is well contained and completely docile. Nevertheless, I can respect the policy. But I cannot respect that, instead of offering a solution to help me (such as checking me out on the app for curbside pickup of my one item – water to make kitten formula with), we were told that we just couldn’t be there. When I took the initiative to inquire about curbside pickup, I was told it could be an option, but when I got back to my car to place the order, there was a minimum 2 hours’ wait before the water could be picked up. It is almost 100 degrees today, and I couldn’t wait that duration in the car without feeding the baby. We wound up going to another store where the staff was more sympathetic and helpful and let me pop in and out for the less than 5 minutes it took to buy water.

I understand rules, but life doesn’t fit into a neat box, and it’s always better to ask someone (who is trying to do the right thing) how you can help before just throwing them out of your store. I still love Wegmans, but I will reconsider shopping at this location while that particular manager is...