Wegmans*
What a shame for central city dwellers that Wegmans is such a long drive away. It gives Whole Foods such a good run for our money. But then if it weren't and had to pay the high District rents, it probably wouldn't be able to maintain its good prices. Its organic section is competitive, too, and in its own zone which makes for easier shopping.
It's massive - and its trolleys match. Set aside a good chunk of time to shop there if you've never been before. Not only will you be dazzled, you'll probably also get lost. At the Sterling branch I couldn't get back to the produce section I was sure was straight ahead. It turned out to be somewhere way to the east of me...Then there's the food court section, where you can take freshly cooked dishes to eat in peace while you draw breath for the foray back into the aisles.
I'm less a fan of Whole Foods than I used to be: its prices are high, increasingly it forces customers into high-priced organic products who might prefer to consider 'conventional'. But most of all, it has the feel of 'privileged shopper' about it which I find distasteful. Just look around and study who your fellow buyers are. Wegmans, on the other hand, has a wide selection of organic produce and products at prices much lower than Whole Foods. But if you want to buy 'conventional' you can without sensing disapproval. Its staff is efficient, polite and helpful which although is still true of Whole Foods' floor workers and check-out clerks, is not the case with many of its managers. As well as everything you'd expect in a supermarket, Wegmans has a huge selection of wines and beers and a large section devoted to table and kitchen-ware.
If you have to collect or deliver someone from Dulles Airport, make time to visit the Wegmans close by.
Wegmans: Sterling/Dulles Airport, 45131 Columbia Pl, 410 773 3900; Fairfax, 11620 Monument Dr, 703 653 1600; 14801 Dining Way, Woodbridge, VA, 703 763 5525; 122 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD, 703 421 2400.
2 Comments
liz diamond
I agree with your comment about Wholefoods seeming to cater to the elite. I only buy a few items there and I always wonder if the check-out person could posssibly afford the item I am buying. I think good, wholesome food should be available to everyone and I am encouraged by an article in today's Washington Post that food banks are improving the quality of food they are distributing to those in need by avoiding high sodium, and empty calories foods and and including fresh rather than canned vegetables in their distributions. I know I only feel good if my diet is good and if I were already low because of personal or economic circumstances, eating poor food would not do a lot to boost my health or my spirits.
AnneB
I rarely shop at Whole Foods and agree about the it catering to the elite. I prefer the Asian markets and I love Wegman's. I went to the opening of the Fairfax store years ago. I wish they had them closer to Arlington. Note - you will stop receiving their store magazine if you aren't a frequent shopper. I learned the hard way but when I called and explained about the distance and how I'm unable to shop there weekly, they were nice enough to put me back on their mailing list.
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