‘People don’t really understand’ the hype, says Wegmans shopper on first day
Charlotte’s first Wegmans does not open its doors until 9 a.m., but superfans (aka “Wegmaniacs”) of the Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer are already lined up in Ballantyne hours before the historic moment.
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After years of anticipation, it’s finally here for shoppers at 11550 N. Community House Road.
And it started early. Doors opened a little after 8 a.m. to cheers from the line.
The store features dedicated cheese counters, specialty bakeries, and expansive prepared-food and dining offerings, giving local shoppers and New York transplants a taste of Upstate and Western New York. Some of the many offerings include sandwiches, sushi, pizza, and a cheese shop with varieties aged in Wegmans’ famed Cheese Caves.
For those planning a trip to Wegmans later today, here’s what happened outside before the doors officially unlocked.
By 5:30 a.m., the line of the store’s first customers stretched around the corner.
Wearing Buffalo Bills paraphernalia, Kari Morris, Eski Kowalski and Selma Belic were the first group in line at 5 p.m. They traveled from Lexington, S.C., for the celebration.
“Wegmans is absolutely epic,” Morris said. “They have amazing options.”
Some of the things she’s looking forward to are the bison dip and the chocolate sponge candy, which they described as a chocolate-covered treat with a light, airy texture.
“Man, I feel great,” Kowalski said. “It’s an amazing and perfect environment, but it needs to get more hyped up because I’m energy, but it’s going to get there.”
For the Bills fans, the store opening is bringing a slice of home and Upstate New York.
Belic is also excited to try the sponge candy.
“I’m ready for all the desserts,” Belic said. “The best part of it… the pumpkin roll cake. That’s what I’m excited for, for sure.”
Jonathan Gibbs was next in line. He traveled from Greenville, S.C., with his wife Pat. Before retirement, Jonathan and Pat lived in Columbia, Maryland, for 40 years and as well as Philadelphia, where they became long-time fans of the Wegmans brand, service and food.
“We’ve been surrounded by some great people tonight,” Gibbs said. “We made some good friends, and we’re looking forward to the next opening so we can meet again.”
When the store opens, they’re planning to get pizza and almond burst cookies. They are also looking forward to taking food back home in their RV.
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Around 7 a.m., cars continued to pour in, with some people tailgating nearby instead of waiting in line. The store opened earlier than scheduled a little after 8 a.m., which made fans and customers like Paul and Tina Jeremenko even happier after waiting hours outside. They set up a table and cooked hot dogs around 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Paul and Tina grew up in Syracuse and Utica, N.Y., respectively.
Like others, they enjoy options such as hot dogs, mustard and cookies. But the service is what they enjoy most.
“The employees are so nice,” Paul said. “It’s just a whole different experience than any other grocery store.”
“The staff is amazing,” Tina added.
Store Manager Patrick McGuinness welcomed customers pushing their shopping carts into the store while leading loud chants, such as spelling out Wegmans letter by letter.
“All right, ready?” he said. “Let’s do this.”
As the crowd poured in, he gave customers fist pumps and took pictures with happy shoppers.
“It’s proof that I work for an amazing company with amazing people,” he said as people in Bills attire passed him. “I think it’s awesome that they want to shop with us, and they miss us. It’s like eating Christmas candy all over again.”
Shopper Keda Brock, a Rochester native now living in Charlotte, was one of those ecstatic shoppers.
“I literally do not go to grocery stores at all,” Brock said. “My family and my friends think I’m crazy because I have not walked into a grocery store in years. But Wegmans is a different situation and experience.”
One of the things she enjoys most is the customer service, comparing the friendliness to Chick-fil-A.
“Everyone’s always so happy,” she said. “I love the customer service, the quality of all the food and I love the floral section.”
Her cart included a Wegmans strawberry shortcake that her family in New York enjoyed during the holidays.
“That’s the first thing I got in my cart,” Brock said.
And she’s looking forward to coming back soon.
“I would just say to all the Southerners or anyone who’s never experienced Wegmans, you have to get here to see what the whole vibe is,” she said. “People don’t really understand.
“Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Well, what’s so different?’ I could tell you, but you probably need to go and experience it yourself. And I think that’s super obvious when you walk in the store.”
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This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
