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Key Takeaways
- The beloved East Coast grocery store chain Wegmans is expanding to its westernmost location yet.
- Fans of the store in Pennsylvania could not be more excited at the announcement.
In my town, you could throw a stone in any direction and hit the same grocery chain. One “giant” looms large here, with the exception of a singular Whole Foods and a lone Trader Joe’s on the periphery. If we need a quick box of cereal or head of lettuce, we’re most likely running to the local Giant Eagle, whether we like it or not.
However, that will soon change with the introduction of another new grocery go-to that's beloved in the Northeast. Yinzers, rejoice! Wegmans is coming to the Pittsburgh area for the first time.
Wegmans Is Opening a New Pittsburgh Area Location
Wegmans announced in the new year that it will be opening a new location in the Pittsburgh suburb of Cranberry Township—right down the road from where I live, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. No shade to Giant Eagle, but as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. Wegmans, which started in Rochester, N.Y. in 1916, has grown to 110 locations across the East Coast, but has never been this far west before (though its Erie, Pa. location is a close second).
So what makes this big news around these parts? Other than the fact that our options are somewhat limited to one dominant chain, Wegmans is a trusted name in the grocery game that is sure to shake up our suburban routines. Now we’ll have a new place to shop for all the ingredients we need for our pecan balls, Pittsburgh salads, and chipped ham.
What Makes Wegmans Special?
Wegmans boasts a "village concept" in its stores, which makes shoppers feel like they are meandering through an outdoor market in a busy village square versus going up and down aisles of a mega-store (which, in reality, they still are).
And what village would be complete without a central hub? The heart of any Wegmans is arguably its market café, offering famished customers restaurant-quality prepared foods, like its King salmon rolls, meatball subs, and General Tso’s from the hot bar. Not to mention the chocolate chip cookies and rotisserie chickens that are so good, they could pass for homemade.
Beyond the café, the shelves are lined with a vast selection of grocery staples, and fans swear by the store brand for bargains on seltzer, pasta sauce, dressings, and even cereal. Wegmans is also known for its top-tier produce, meats, and seafood, all offered at a better value compared to competitors. Is it any wonder I’m excited about this new development? And I’m not the only one.
“We’ve received thousands of requests for a Wegmans in the Pittsburgh region since opening our first Pennsylvania store over 30 years ago,” said Dan Aken, vice president of real estate and store planning, in a press release. “We’re excited to have finally found the right location to bring Wegmans to the Pittsburgh area.”
Other fans on Reddit are with me, too: “I dropped to my knees in Giant Eagle,” exclaimed one, in the posting that featured the announcement. “It’s one of the best grocery stores there is. Plus it’s one of the best companies to work for,” added another.
Similarly, Facebook users chimed in with comments like, “Dreams do come true” and “Such exciting news, thank you!”
Although there’s no official timeline yet for the construction of the 115,000 square-foot Cranberry Wegmans, it’s expected to open in 2027. I say, the sooner the better—I need all the reminders of my New York roots I can get here in the ‘Burgh.
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