For some reason today I started thinking about who Wegmans will affect the most and how, once they open in June. I am in the early stages of what I call Grocery Store Avoidance, i.e., buying most things locally by supporting small businesses like Roots, David’s, Boarman’s and the farmers, and by using my traditional sources like SYSCO and Costco, for my staples.
I buy spices and basic supplies at the SYSCO outlet on Rte. 1 in Elkridge. I buy my bulk items at Costco, but don’t really use their pre-made foods very much. I wonder if that is the area that Wegman’s will hurt them the most.
What will happen to BJ’s? Can this area support Costco, BJ’s, and Wegman’s, when it comes to ready-made entertainment foods? I go to Costco for things like this.
Plus, the low sodium chicken broth. These are staples in my pantry. I use Costco for creamers and for coffees.
But I found a good deal at the Frederick Wegmans for my K-cups. As for bulk items like paper towels and toilet paper, it will be interesting to see the matchup once Wegmans opens with their bulk food aisle carrying much of the same items.
I buy wild ahi at Costco. Take it home and portion it out and freeze it. Same for things like Aidell’s Natural Sausages and Meatballs. Cheese, some spices, organic olive oil and balsamic, all come from Costco. You can bet I will be looking to see what Wegmans charges in their bulk aisles for these items.
But, will the traffic and crowds push me elsewhere? How congested will Snowden River Parkway get? Being retired, I can go at off hours, but I do wonder how frustrated people will get who try and get in there.
I love Wegmans. I go to Frederick often.
It will be Frederick most of the time unless I have doctor appointments or car work being done in East Columbia. I know I will be watching the effect they have on the area stores.
Only two months to go.
hocofood@@@
AnnieRie Unplugged 
I buy local, too, but I LOVE Wegman’s. Such variety and great prices.
I don’t know if the big box stores will be affected much. However I do think the closer Giants will definitely lose customers, not sure about the Safeway & Food Lion.
It will be wonderful just to have a close-by Wegmans option !!
Oh – and note the sign. No apostrophe. I was soundly zinged by someone on the “I Want the Columbia Wegmans” Facebook page for using an apostrophe in one of my posts. It is just an automatic thing, in fact I had to go back and remove it before posting my reply above!! But for whatever reason, Wegmans does not use it.
OK, I fixed it. Never paid attention to it before.
By the way, I hear Yogi is up this week. Need to get to Decanter and see him.
Yes, he is. He’s working at Decanter so Eric can take a vacation. Don’t know when he’s going back.
(I never paid attention to the apostrophe either)
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