I am lucky to be in Rochester, home of Wegmans. To counter some somments made, yes, they are a "chain". But they try to keep up the high quality high customer service mentality of a small local grocery or deli. They are gradually expanding outsidde of the NY, PA area, with stores in NJ and the newest in Virginia.

As far as being more expensive, I think it depends on what you are buying. The local newspaper prints a price comparison list each month for several national brand items in Wegmans, Tops, and the Super Wal Mart. Wal Mart is cheaper on some items, but overall, Wegmans usually comes in with the lowest total pricce for the list of groceries. I also shop at Tops occasionaly, but I find that Wegmans stores are cleaner overall and the produce is presented much better.

I picked up a submarine sandwhich (grinder to some of you) at the local Wegmans for dinner last night. They launched an expanded line of higher quality sub shops in the stores a few years ago, based on a small local chain (about 4 stores) called Dibellas. The story is that Danny Wegman was so taken with the quality at Dibellas when he stopped at one for lunch, that he asked Joey Dibella to help him set up the new sub-shops in the Wegmans stores.

One thing Wegmans has done which is causing many customer complaints is to have the checkout clerks ID (proof) everyone on alcohol and tobacco purchases, regardless of age or appearance. It used to be that if you were obviously over 30, they did not proof.