It happens at least once a year: a rumor circulates that the Wegmans in Country Club Plaza on Fairport Road is closing.
Every time shoppers hear it, they panic. We love our Wegmans. Love the small town feel, the friendly employees, the community atmosphere. It’s the only place I know where you can run in to get a gallon of milk, run into the pastor of your church, and then chat with your child’s …soccer coach.
Our Wegmans doesn’t have the flash, sizzle and razzle dazzle of the mega-Wegmans, with their gourmet prepared foods and expansively arranged produce department. Nor do we have the parking problems, anxiety-producing chaos or spotty customer service.
So when I heard this week from someone with an ear inside Wegmans that the Fairport Road Wegmans was closing, and that some employees were already being moved, I called Wegmans and asked for a straight answer. (And then I started a Facebook page!)
I spoke with Jessica in the Consumer Affairs department. After checking with others in her office, she told me no one had heard that our store was closing. I also asked how much advance notice her office might get if our store were closing, and she said she honestly didn’t know.
The truth is that at some point, the rumor will become truth, and when that happens it’s going to be too late to do anything about it. Our community-based grocery store will go the way of the mega-Wegs. Ask yourself: what will you do then? Especially those of you who live within walking distance of a mega-Wegs but come to our store to shop because you like the atmosphere?
If you’re a fan of the Fairport Road Wegmans, NOW is the time to share our support for the store, the employees, and the ability to shop in a calm, non-frentic environment. Now, fellow shoppers, is the time to speak up.
Here are some ways that you can make sure that Corporate Wegmans understands how important the Fairport Road store is to our eastside community. When you contact them:
- Don’t just ask them not to close the store – tell them why they should keep it open, what you like about the small store vs the mega-Wegs.
- Praise the employees, share positive stories, and thank Wegmans for making a commitment to the people in East Rochester and Fairport.
- Make sure you include your name and contact information and ask for a response.
Here are ways you can contact Wegmans:
1) Email Wegmans using the contact page at http://www.wegmans.com/
2) Call Wegmans at Consumer Affairs representatives at 1-800-WEGMANS, ext. 8500-4760, Monday – Friday between the hours of 8AM-5PM EST
3) As often as you can, leave a positive comment card in the suggestion box located at the front of the Fairport Road store. It takes just seconds to fill it out – your comment can be as simple as “Hugh in produce was really helpful” or “Precocious did a great job checking me out today.” Again, be sure to include your name and info and ask for a response.
4) Share your stories about why you love Wegmans Fairport Road store on the “Save Wegmans Fairport Road” Facebook page. Tell us what you love, memories if you worked there, why the store is important to you.
I told Jessica at Consumer Affairs that I’ll be spearheading a grassroots effort to make sure Wegmans knows how important this small store is to our community. I hope you’ll join me!