- Wegmans is a regional grocer with a massive cult following.
- The grocer has 101 stores in the New England and Mid-Atlantic region and is known for its in-house brand and hefty ready-to-eat food offerings.
- We visited Wegmans stores in Brooklyn, New York, and in the suburb of Manalapan, New Jersey to see how they compared.
- After visiting the two stores located in different areas, we understood the broad appeal of the grocer that is winning over customers in vastly different environments.
- Aside from prices varying slightly, the overall appearance, cleanliness, and quality of products, at both Wegmans locations were consistent.
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Wegmans might be a regional grocer. But the love for the small chain is evidently far-reaching.
With just 101 stores across the New England and the mid-Atlantic regions, Wegmans is smaller than a lot of its competitors. But the store has a lot going for it, including an in-house brand, a wide array of ready-to-eat food options, and a charming store design made to look like an open-air European market.
Most Wegmans stores can be found in suburban locations nestled in states like Maryland, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York. However, the Wegmans in Brooklyn, New York stands out for its metropolitan location.
We visited the Brooklyn Wegmans on opening day in October and met people who traveled for miles to be there. We also met some locals who were thrilled that the regional grocer had finally made its way to the city.
We decided to compare the experience of the Brooklyn Wegmans with a Wegmans in the suburbs of Manalapan, New Jersey. Though they were located in completely different environments, the superb store experiences of each made it clear why the regional grocer appeals to so many people.
Here's what we saw: