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 Wegmans Stuck in the Past

Since Wegmans calls it roots out of Rochester, it makes sense to find some smaller stores still operating at a much smaller square footage footprint than the newer stores. And while it's not a bad thing, this Wegmans appears to have left some older wall decor intact. I can't help but think this store may have been left as is just for some nostalgia of the Wegmans of the past.

As you can see it even has a pitched roof, a classic supermarket architectural design. This store did see at least one major expansion as evidenced by this rather unique painting:

Notice the smaller storefront and a Grants in the background in the 1958 scene on top. The bottom portion is a 2008 view.

The checkout lanes greet you upon entering. Once you enter, the checkout lanes are in front of you while customer services is to the right after the main actionway goes through. While I didn't get any pictures from this area, (lots of people present) I did manage to get a picture of the entryway which you will see at the end of this post.

The checkout lanes and customer services are to the left behind the wall. I took this picture from a little hallway that leads to the restrooms. The time painting is behind me on the wall. 

Pharmacy area.

Special departments

Overall view of this side of the store.

Deli & Meals prep areas

4 Tables squeezed in.

Note the 2B aisle sign having one side being held up by a chain, while the other side is not. The back of the pharmacy can be seen in the lower left of this photo.

Meat signs.

Frozen Foods & Produce

This store still manages to have a rather large toy department.

Housewares, decor and other home products

Thanks for shopping Wegmans.