Wegmans & Price Chopper: the real deal
The object of so much desire.
You hear something once, you dismiss it. You hear it twice, you think, eh. But when you hear it five or six different places from people who are in no way connected to each other, you start to wonder. So, when we heard lots of folks repeating the rumor that Wegmans and Price Chopper had a sort of "gentlemen's agreement" to stay out of each others backyards, it definitely caught our interest.
And then we heard rumors that Wegmans might be making it's move on the Capital Region.
So, is there any truth to either of these rumors?
The short answer for both is: no.
According to Wegmans spokesperson Jo Natale, the Rochester-based chain has no plans to build a store anywhere near A-Town.
And it's not for the reasons you think. AOA called the corporate offices of both Wegmans and Price Chopper. Both said they, too, have heard rumors about a secret agreement for years. Both also flatly denied it, pointing out that they do compete in markets like Western New York and Pennsylvania. Natale, the Wegmans spokesperson, says the company gets thousands of requests a year to build stores in areas that don't have them. "Don't take it personally" she says, the company is just moving in a different direction. And right now that direction is Pennsylvania, Virginia and DC.
photo: Flickr user chrstine592, used under a CC license
The Bottom Line
According to spokespeople from both companies, there is no agreement to keep Wegmans out of Albany.
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Comments
Dear AOA,
Thank you for looking into this. I respectfully suggest, however, that this matter needs to be investigated more thoroughly than merely calling each store's corporate office. Naturally they are going to deny it. Until a far-reaching and thorough investigation is done, I remain skeptical with regard to the conclusions you draw.
Bruce Roter, President
We Want Trader Joe's in the Capital District
www.wwtj.org
broter2@verizon.net
... said Bruce Roter on Apr 2, 2008 at 5:04 PM | link
Bruce,
Do you have any suggestions about how to get this information out of either company? Without waterboarding Danny Wegman, that is.
In the town of Clay, there are a Wegmans and a Price Chopper in the same general strip mall wasteland. They aren't afraid of competition; both parking lots are always full.
The strange effect that grocery competition has in Syracuse is that milk is about a dollar cheaper per gallon than it is here in Albany. Or it was the last time I checked, at least. There are a lot of similar loss leader deals to be found. It's nice.
... said Laurie on Apr 2, 2008 at 6:34 PM | link
I agree with Bruce, they are NEVER going to admit anything about this to people. My source for the so called rumor is a relative that worked for Wegmans and was told that this agreement existed between the original owner of Wegmans (who recently passed away) and the owner of Price Chopper. They told him they would also flat out deny this. Of course everyone wondered what would happen to said deal once the father passed away. Speculation was that the son would invade PC territory, but truth be told we are not a hot market like there is down south.
... said BL on Apr 2, 2008 at 6:56 PM | link
I like Price Chopper, but I wouldn't spend the morning there with my laptop. Wegman's on the other hand...
... said Rob on Apr 2, 2008 at 7:28 PM | link
Laurie,
I'm pretty sure the waterboarding of Culinary magnets was specifically banned by the Godiva Convention. In any case, if there is a story to be told, some of your information will have to come from outside the corporations. Barring an exposee video on Youtube, I don't know how you would get it (if there is information to be gotten). In the meantime, I prefer to consider your findings inconclusive right now.
As for BL's suggestion that our area is not attractive for expansion, I disagree. We have a tremendous amount going for us here in the Capital DIstrict. One of the reasons why I like Trader Joe's so much is, with it's bright lighting, wide aisles, ahead-of-the-curve product lines, it's an optimistic company; and similarly, we have every reason to be an optimistic community!
Bruce
Bruce Roter, President
We Want Trader Joe's in the Capital District
www.wwtj.org
broter2@verizon.net
... said Bruce Roter on Apr 2, 2008 at 7:43 PM | link
I pine for Wegman's. Growing up in northern NY I was only able to shop at Price Chopper, but when I lived in Maryland and the new Weggie's went in just down the road, my heart did a pitter-patter. I was able to enjoy New York state goodness in MD. Even when I visit friends in PA, I make sure to swing by their Wegman's and grab some of the tasty treats I can't find anywhere else.
... said Kate on Apr 3, 2008 at 9:31 AM | link
Please get to the bottom of this. We NEED a Wegman's or a Whole Foods.. something besides Price Chopper and Hannaford. Both would thrive in the Capital District.
... said Jen on Apr 3, 2008 at 3:40 PM | link
Since none of us, I suspect, are market research experts, we don't know Wegman's would thrive. Like everyone else, I love, love, love the store. But my love- or your love or several peoples' love does not make a store a success. There is so much more to a business flourishing. Just look at Krispee Kreme (sp?). Remember all the hype that came with that, and then there was often a line down Route 7 to get in? And yet that store didn't stick around. You can't assume something will be a success just because you love it. (Although, if Wegman's came 'round, I'd crack my PC card, throw out the ads from PC and Hannys and become a Wegman's devotee!)
... said Kristi on Apr 4, 2008 at 6:54 AM | link
say what you will, but when we have a Wegman's, a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods this gourmand's life will be complete...
... said smitty on Apr 5, 2008 at 9:12 AM | link
Krispy Kreme pulling out was more of a regional thing, not due to low sales at that store in particlar.
... said Laurie on Apr 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM | link