Downtown Manhattan is about to experience a remarkable infusion of upstate New York charm. Following the announcement two years ago that Wegmans, the renowned Rochester-based grocery giant, would be debuting its first-ever Manhattan location in the former Kmart on Astor Place, we now have the specific opening date. And true to their word, Wegmans is right on track, just as they promised in 2021. The impressive two-level, 87,500-square-foot store, situated in the historic 770 Broadway building built in 1907, is set to open its doors for business on October 18th at 9 a.m., as confirmed in a company press release. While this marks the first Wegmans location in Manhattan, it is not the first within the city limits.
Store manager Matt Dailor, in the release, expressed the excitement surrounding the long-awaited opening, stating, “We know our customers can’t wait to come see what we have in store, and our employees have been diligently training for over a year in preparation for this day. Wegmans is a celebration of food and people, and we are eagerly anticipating October 18th when we can finally welcome our community here in the East Village.”
Interestingly, almost exactly four years prior to the opening of the Astor Place store, Wegmans made their debut in the Big Apple at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where their store remains open. From the moment the company announced their plans for the Astor Place location, the space has been adorned with distinctive Wegmans designs. The windows now proudly bear the Wegmans logo, as do the docking stations for Citi Bike located right in front.
The new store, occupying two levels at 770 Broadway in the former Kmart space, is still a work in progress. It will feature a floor dedicated to prepared foods and a lower level for grocery staples. Visitors will find the familiar interior design associated with Wegmans, although this particular location will also showcase unique elements in its decorative windows, mirroring the architectural details of the building itself.
Taking a look at Wegmans’ existing locations, the majority are in New York State, spanning from Buffalo to a forthcoming store in Suffolk County, Long Island. They also have a substantial presence in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and North Carolina. As per their website, upcoming stores include one in Norwalk, Connecticut, which will be the first Wegmans store in that state.
This grand opening at Astor Place marks a full circle moment, as earlier in the summer of 2021, there were speculations that Wegmans would take over the former Kmart space after its abrupt closure in July 2021. Reports and discussions on Reddit suggested that a “first-class regional grocer” would replace the Kmart, leading many curious observers to speculate whether it would be Wegmans, Whole Foods, or Trader Joe’s.
So, what can customers expect when they visit this new Wegmans location? They can indulge in fresh sushi, sandwiches, pizza, and even Mediterranean delicacies from the “Mezze” section. Furthermore, in the first half of 2024, visitors will have the additional perk of an on-site dining room featuring a sushi bar, as well as a Champagne and oyster bar.
Similar to Trader Joe’s, Wegmans has garnered a dedicated following, particularly among those who hail from Western and Central New York and grew up enjoying its fresh and reasonably priced food. Some loyal customers were so devoted that despite living in New York City, they would drive 330 miles back home to Rochester to stock up on several months’ worth of groceries to bring back to Manhattan. Others intentionally chose apartments or homes near the closest Wegmans stores, not just for convenience but also for the nostalgia it evoked. Time-tested customer favorites include the ginger-flavored sparkling water, cave-ripened Cremeux de Bourgogne cheese, chocolate-dipped chocolate chip cookies with flavored buttercream filling, and, being an upstate brand, their signature Buffalo wings.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
