Wegmans to open first Pittsburgh-area store
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Pittsburgh area is getting its first Wegmans.
The grocery store chain confirmed on Monday that it has plans to open a location in Cranberry on Cool Spring Drive, near the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Wegmans says the new store will sell a variety of food, including produce, bakery goods and deli products, and offer a large selection of wine and beer.
The 115,000-square-foot store will employ about 400 to 500 people, Wegmans said. It
The company says the new store will be part of the Cranberry Springs development, which has commercial, residential, office and retail facilities.
The news was first reported by the Pittsburgh Business Times in May, but Wegmans declined comment at the time.
Wegmans is a family company that has over 100 stores along the East Coast. It has several locations in Pennsylvania, including in Erie and State College, but the Cranberry location will be a first for the Pittsburgh area.
When KDKA-TV talked to people about the news back in May, they were excited about the idea of the grocery store chain expanding into western Pennsylvania.
"Not only does Wegmans create an additional option for our residents, but it will also serve as a driver of jobs in our area," said Bruce Hezlep, Board of Supervisors Chairman.
While there is no timeline for the project, it's expected to open around 2027. The proposed plans will go through the Township Planning Advisory Commission and gain final approval from the Board of Supervisors, per a news release from Cranberry Township officials.
"As with any development, the Board's job is to make sure the project meets the needs of the Township and is held to the high standards for which Cranberry has become known," Hezlep said. "We look forward to working with Wegmans officials during the planning and development process."
"The Board of Supervisors has long advocated for new and diverse businesses to call Cranberry home, and Wegmans will serve as a wonderful complement to our existing business community," added Dan Santoro, Township Manager.
Wegmans leaders excited about Pittsburgh expansion
Dan Aken, the vice president of real estate and store planning, says Wegman's has received thousands of requests to come to Pittsburgh since their first store in Pennsylvania opened more than 30 years ago, and he said Cranberry was the perfect place to finally land.
Gary Fechter, the store operations regional manager for the Pennsylvania division, said officials knew it was time to enter the Pittsburgh market because of growth in the region.
"The timing just was right, and I think as customers from the eastern part of the state, they migrate to the west and so and so forth, there's a lot of people that have experience with Wegmans, so there was any time that we could go there. And we're so thankful that Dan and his team were able to find this spot for us," said Fechter.
And they're confident customers will notice the difference right away.
"You know the comparison really comes down to we have something for everyone. First of all, you can shop in store, you can shop online, you can have it delivered, you can pick it up curbside. But when you walk into our store, you're going to find unique ways in order to create great meals at home," Fechter said.
Wegmans says the company is ready to make an impact on the community as well.
"I know our announcement is recent as far as participating in Cranberry Township and the local Pittsburgh area, but we're really looking forward to understanding what the wants and needs are of the market so that we can be the best corporate citizen that we are, whether that's partnering with local food banks or schools or organizations, we're really looking forward to making a difference," Fechter said.
