‘Wegmania’ hits NYC as Brooklyn store opens Sunday

More than four years after announcing its first New York City store, Wegmans Food Markets will open its doors at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27. And New Yorkers couldn’t be more excited.

The 74,000-square-foot supermarket on Flushing Avenue in the Admirals Row development will offer shoppers an abundant product mix, with nearly 50,000 items in all (more than 2,000 of which are organic). More than 540 newly hired employees will be delivering on Wegmans' renowned customer service at the new location.

“We give our best to the customer every single time. Not just in the morning, not just on a good day,” said Store Manager Kevin Cuff. “We want to be the best in the business when it comes to putting the customer first.”

Restaurant foods prepared by Executive Chef Stephen De Lucia and his culinary staff of 157 include everything from fresh sushi, authentic Italian pizza and delicious burgers, to made-to-order salads and hot soup. The food bars are mix and match, with hot and cold self-serve stations featuring entrees and sides, international cuisine, homestyle and vegetarian options —all available for takeout or in-store dining. The mezzanine-level Market Café seating area has space for nearly 100 and includes a bar serving wine, beer, cocktails, and snacks.

Related:Wegmans set to open 100th store

Wegmans is helpfully answering customers’ questions about the new store on its Twitter feed and local news coverage is all over the opening.

The Brooklyn store is the 101st overall for the Rochester, N.Y.-based retailer. The popular grocer has a loyal customer base and its store openings are highly anticipated events in many markets. The recent grand opening of Wegmans’ 100th store, in Raleigh, N.C., broke records with nearly 3,000 people waiting on line for the doors to open at 7 a.m., and more than 30,000 people coming through the store that day. Wegmans noted that the event “ranks as the top store opening attendance in company history.”

Expect New York City to shatter that record.