Why No Wegmans in Albany?
As mentioned in a previous post, a huge new Wegmans store in Henrietta near Rochester will be opening Sunday.
Of course, that's great news for the local Rochester area. Meanwhile, multiple stores continue to operate in Buffalo and Syracuse.
But why has Wegmans ignored the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area all of these years? Let's look at some demographics:
Metro Area --- Population
Buffalo --- 1,170,111
Rochester --- 1,039,028
Syracuse --- 732,117
Jamestown --- 30,726
Ithaca --- 29,952
-----------------------------------
Albany --- 850,957
Of course, population density is not the sole determining factor for Wegmans to consider, but one wonders why Albany, the state's capital, has been left out for so long? It's a relatively wealthy area with Saratoga Springs, universities and other job centers. And plenty of people.
With talk of expanding to Boston, perhaps Albany will finally become a Wegmans town, otherwise, there will be an even larger hole on the store locator map.
The current expansion pattern and new stores are centered in the D.C. suburbs, which makes sense as there is plenty of disposable income and people in that major metro region.
But why not Albany? What's wrong with Albany?
Posts
Price chopper and hannaford have a gentlemen's agreement with wegman's-they won't build out west if they don't build east
ReplyDeleteThat is ludicrous. Wegman's woudl trounce Price Chopper and Hannaford on price, quality, and selection. I moved to Albany 3 years ago and I hate going grocery shopping at any of the chains in the area and my grocery bills are consistantly higher because the store-brand options are of lower quality and variety. Wegman's spoiled me for all other grocery stores.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the Albany area and many of friends and family members have worked at the various grocery chains. Going back to the "Albany Public Market." I have lived in Rochester for the last 13 years and can say with absolute certainty that Wegmans is more expensive across the board than Price Chopper. As far as selection and quality, there really isn't a grocery chain in the U.S. that is better that Wegamns. Perhaps Whole Foods or Harris Teeter, but in the North East, Wegmans wins that battle.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Buffalo and Wegmans is the best. Second to Tops. We moved to Albany and the super markets stink..They have no clue what a Wegmans is and a real super market. The Hanaford super markets are a joke. They are lik e mini mart or a big 7 11 store. Wegmans is best of all. I sure wish they would open one in the Albany, NY area. The people would go nuts over it. Price Chopper and Hanaford are depresing after growing up with a REAL super market like Wegmans. Evey time we go home to visit family it always includes a trip or 4 to Wegmans super Market. Which makes it more harder to come back to Albany. I hope Wegmans comes to Albany soon!
ReplyDeleteI have to say. I seriously miss Wegmans. I moved out here to Albany a little over 3 years ago and miss Wegmans like crazy. The quality can't be beat. I'm more than willing to pay a little more for better quality veg/meats/bakery goods.
ReplyDeleteI also grew up in western NY, and grew up with wegmans, I remember my older brother working for them when he was in HS, and he absolutely loved that place, I actually remember him working there through part of college as well. In the early 90's we moved to Albany, I always remember my parents HATED shopping at Price Chopper and Hannaford when we moved here...I even worked for Price Chopper too in the past, and I must say that Wegmans has them all beat hands down. No contest!
ReplyDeletePrice Chopper and Hannaford are TERRIBLE! Any major chain other than Dumb and Dumber would CRUSH them. PLEASE COME TO ALBANY!
ReplyDeleteI lived in Syracuse my whole life and moved to Albany for college and now I am a resident here. I do not believe this gentlemen's agreement because in Central New York we have Price Chopper and Wegman's living in peace side by side. Even our Price Choppers west of Albany are better! They are able to compete with Wegman's. Hannaford is a joke.
ReplyDeleteWegman's is on a quality level way above any Grocery store in the greater Albany area.
ReplyDeleteI know we have a customer base that would greatly appreciate a clean, well organized and cordial grocery business in this area!
Three generations of my family shopped and supplied produce to Wegman's...I really dread using the grocery stores in eastern NYS. The differances in how these stores opperate and treat their customers are incredible.
Nobody can beat Wegman's. I really hope they expand to the Albany area soon!! The residents would love the supermarket and it would make this area even better. If it was up to me, Wegman's, Delta Sonic (famous car wash place W.N.Y) and Anderson's Ice cream (famous I.C in W.N.Y) should be spread out throughout the State. Hopefully Wegman's will soon be apart of the Capital region.
ReplyDeleteWe should start a petition for Wegman's in Albany. Not sure where to send in the requests though? Maybe someone from corporate could make a decision and proposal. Ideas?
ReplyDeleteI just moved from rochester to albany and other than the pittsford super wegmans, the ordinary neighborhood wegmans are nothing special, their prices do not compare to price chopper and the food quality is equal at best to price chopper. smoke and mirrors on store appearance will never trump saving people money, besides who buys any of that gourmet crap in Pittsford anyways? Forget Wegmans in the captial district keep the Price Choppers and get us a Whole Foods.
ReplyDeleteWhy Not Albany? They now have trucks going into Mass. They have to drive right past it. Shop Rite came back to the area. If you don't like Albany how about Montgomery Co? Schenectady Co? Both are along I-90
ReplyDeleteHi! We love Wegmans and live right here in Central Jersey. We're looking forward to relocating soon to Saratoga Springs, or Queensbury. Wegmans, or Whole Foods would be a wonderful addition to Glens Falls area or Saratoga Springs. Price Chopper is o.k.
ReplyDeletePlease bring Wegmans to the Albany/ Saratoga area - No Price Chopper or Hannaford can possibly even be compared to Wegmans. Wegmans is a one stop shop for all products (organic and non-organic). The variety they have for each product is just amazing. People are going to be grateful - trust me - please bring Wegmans to the capital region.
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