Wegmans at Astor Place brings a style of suburbia to NYU

Dealer Joe’s not holds a monopoly over NYU college students’ grocery lists, due to Wegmans which opened its first Manhattan location at Astor Place on Oct. 18.

Sophomore Aasia Gabbour went to the shop the day after it opened. After strolling previous the placement and seeing posts about it on Instagram, she stated she discovered the shop’s costs cheap, evaluating it to a fancier Kroger or cheaper Entire Meals Market with extra selection. Though Gabbour plans to proceed shopping for the majority of her groceries from Dealer Joe’s, she plans to go to the brand new Wegmans location extra usually for each its novelties and name-brand merchandise. 

“I reside 20 minutes away, so it’s not too far, however I most likely wouldn’t prioritize it over Dealer Joe’s, which is nearer to me,” Gabbour stated. “But when I would like particular objects or necessities that I can’t get at Dealer Joe’s, I’d go to Wegmans.”

The sprawling grocery retailer may justify its personal ZIP code, at present spanning two flooring and being virtually 4 occasions bigger than the Dealer Joe’s in East Village. Wegmans plans to open a 3rd flooring in its Astor Place location subsequent yr. It additionally provides extra objects than the bodegas and smaller grocery shops on the nook of virtually each different Manhattan block. 

As you enter the shop, you’ll be greeted with the aroma of breads and rolls from the bakery, which additionally hosts breakfast objects and dessert, together with Wegmans’ very personal “Final Chocolate Chip Cookies.” Together with the bakery, the street-level flooring has a sizzling meals bar, made-to-order pizza, Mediterranean meals, recent sushi and different meals stations. Take the elevator all the way down to the second stage and also you’ll come throughout the standard picks in a grocery retailer, equivalent to fruits, greens, dairy, meat and frozen meals along with a cheese store and a Tokyo-inspired fish market.

Not like Gabbour, first-year Elliot Zheng has visited one other Wegmans location earlier than, because the chain originated in upstate New York. Zheng was blown away by the Manhattan retailer’s large measurement and stated it was corresponding to the one he used to go to quarter-hour from his residence.

“Everybody I’ve talked to is tremendous enthusiastic about Wegmans at Astor Place,” Zheng stated. “It’s actually well-liked, and everybody loves it as a result of it’s so huge and has good high quality merchandise.”

The brand new Wegmans is very near college students dwelling at Alumni Corridor, Brittany Corridor, Founders Corridor, Third Avenue North and different residence halls close to the East Village. Along with being a brand new possibility for groceries, the shop can even function a brand new spot if you’re bored with meals from eating halls or have an insatiable craving between lessons.

In line with senior public relations coordinator Mandee Puleo, Wegmans had been seeking to open a location within the borough for practically 5 years. The corporate purposely selected a location close to NYU because it has noticed increased gross sales close to universities and schools.

Contact Krish Dev and Mikaylah Du at [email protected].