Fans line up ahead of of LI's first Wegmans supermarket opening
Long Island will finally welcome its very first Wegmans supermarket on Wednesday, and excitement is already building.
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The wait is almost over.
Long Island will finally welcome its very first Wegmans supermarket on Wednesday, and excitement is already building.
At the Lake Grove location in Suffolk County, some die-hard Wegmans fans are spending the night outdoors to ensure they’re the first to step through the doors when the store officially opens tomorrow.
For many Long Islanders, this moment is a long time coming.
Rick Carberry, a Wegmans fan from Wading River, is one of those eager to experience the grand opening firsthand.
Carberry, who grew up near a Wegmans in Geneseo, is no stranger to the store’s legendary reputation.
“It’s an amazing grocery store,” said Carberry, proudly wearing a Buffalo Sabres sweatshirt and carrying a Buffalo Bills cooler, a nod to his Western New York roots. “I don’t think people who aren’t familiar with it realize what an amazing store it really is. We’ve waited almost 25, 30 years for this, to have a store on Long Island.”
Rick and his son, Danny, are early birds staking their claim outside the store. Despite the chilly evening, their enthusiasm remains unshaken as they wait for tomorrow’s big opening.
The buzz surrounding the Wegmans grand opening is expected to cause significant traffic congestion in the area.
Local police are anticipating heavy traffic and potential closures on nearby roads, including Alexander Avenue, New Moriches Road, and Hallock Road. Lake Grove residents, like Roger Monaco, are concerned about the added strain on already-busy Middle Country Road.
“We’re just concerned that traffic’s going to be picked up,” said Monaco. “Middle Country Road is a busy road as it is.”
Workers at nearby businesses, including Matthew McNeill from Sundown Ski & Patio, are also bracing for the impact.
“I’ll probably head over 15 to 20 minutes early and try to fight the supermarket crowd,” McNeill said, anticipating a rush in the morning.
For those planning to visit the new Wegmans, police are advising that traffic delays could begin as early as 7 a.m. tomorrow and could last until 6 p.m.
They recommend that anyone not attending the grand opening avoid the area to help minimize congestion.
Wegmans is officially scheduled to open its doors at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
