An Architectural Relic from Wegmans

While most of Wegmans' stores are of the giant hypermarket design, there are still a couple left that aren't so big in operation around their home turf of Rochester, NY. This store, along with a store in East Rochester, would be the main two stores that I refer too. Unlike the linked store, this store appears to have done very little to update the location since likely opening in the 1970s. The only changes that would appear to have been made would be store decor updates.

Picture credit to Google Maps

Probably the biggest reason for the lack of changes or updates would be that this location is landlocked with no room for expansion as you can see from the satellite view above. Regardless, this location appears to very well.

The layout of the store consists of HBA, pharmacy and the specialty food departments like deli and bakery on the right side of the store, along with a seating area. Produce is in the back right corner with meats and seafoood taking up the back wall. Dairy has a very unique feature at this store which I'll discuss below. The left side of the store has natural foods, bulk foods and some other snack items. The front of the store contains the seasonal, home decor and book departments and obviously the checkout lanes.

Looking Along the Right Wall

The pharmacy is to the left here. The bakery would be behind me in this view.

Another interesting thing found here is that at least some of the dry goods aisles run parallel to the back wall.

Probably my favorite architectural feature is this thing right here.

I mentioned earlier dairy has a unique setup. The reason being is that dairy products follow an aisle that wraps around bulk foods. Sounds confusing, doesn't it? Well hopefully the pics can explain it better.

Notice coolers on both sides of the aisle and how the aisle turns in the background.

Bulk foods section

And here's where the aisle ends up - on the other side of bulk foods. 

This really was a cool idea and stands out as something unique among supermarkets.

I get a kick out of the 'No Candy Lane' sign

The First Flex-Target of the Twin Tiers

Target hasn't been expanding crazily, but where they have is by means of their flex-format. The flex-format is designed to basically fit in an existing building without really changing the exterior all that much. Some minor exterior changes might happen, but nothing drastic. The stores can range from as small as around 10,000 sq. ft. to around 60,000 sq. ft. and given the space available sometimes even larger. The store's ability to be flexible in the amount of square footage is where the flex-format name gets its name.

The only flex-Target I know of in the blog's coverage area as of this writing is the State College location. The purpose of this store is to provide the nearby college campus students, workers or other people in the area a place to grab the basic necessitates, prescriptions from CVS or a Starbucks coffee. 

From what I can tell, it appears this building was built new with Target in mind but I very well could be wrong. Although not pictured, a H&M store also shares the building in a lower level thanks to a change in elevation.

This photo was taken from a second entrance along the street that bends and this area serves as a lobby for whatever was upstairs.

Wait a minute. Where's XYZ?