Wegmans opens second area store

About 1,200 people crowded the doors of the county’s newest Wegmans in Gainesville, waiting for the store to open Sunday morning.

In a line that wrapped around the building, customers began waiting as early as 6 a.m. to shop, try free samples and take advantage of promotional discounts.

“By 7:20, all the carts were in use,” said Jo Natale, director of Media and Consumer Relations. Twenty-seven registers rang up a steady flow of customers as others signed up hundreds of visitors for
customer cards.

“We couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Natale said.

Like other Wegmans, such as the one in Woodbridge that opened in June, the store not only offers groceries, it hosts a Market Café.

Store Manager Mike Dempsey said Wegmans’ grand openings are always exciting, “especially when they are in your home town,” he added.

A Warrenton resident, Dempsey appreciates the ability to drive 10 miles to his new store. “I think residents have always wanted us here,” he said.

Unpacking their full cart, local shoppers Jim and Lisa Cree said they were excited about the store. They said they are from Rochester, N.Y., where Wegmans started, and it makes them feel as if they are home.

Customers Jackie and Brian Krone and Jutta Shermann offered exclamations like, “It’s crazy!” and “Crowded!”

The store is located at 8297 Stonewall Shops Square in Gainesville.