My wonderful, beautiful Wegmans,

There is no other grocery store that can compare to thee. You have won over all the rest and have stolen my heart (and my stomach). The second I walk through those automatic doors, I know that I am home. Everything about you is perfect: the decor, ambiance, scent, buffet line and the way you are so neatly divided up into sections; meat, desserts, seafood, etc., etc.

I do admit, we’ve had our issues; navigating you is a nightmare and I can easily get lost between produce and toiletries when I’m looking for spices and when I found out you don’t carry my favorite brand of pesto, my heart broke a little that day. But still, what you lack in pasta sauce, you make up in everything else and these struggles have just made our bond that much stronger. Your food is fresh and there’s nothing more welcoming than the floating scent of the freshly baked bread or the low murmur of customers, checking out or rattling their carts. You’re decorated in a way that makes me feel welcomed and at ease. It’s like a small, French town with great food was shoved inside and just continued to grow and expand to become a bigger French town with even greater food where it’s easy to get lost in. Your lighting sets the mood when I grocery shop and even your background music makes me want to skip down the aisles. (But I don’t because it’s always so gosh darn packed)

On top of all that, you’re one of the only grocery stores that I know of that has a buffet line and a section where you can sit and eat food. And need I mention your wine selection?? You put all the other wine nights to shame! And your catering is yet to be beat by other grocery stores! How much more amazing you get?! Whenever I’m feeling down, upset or hungry, I know I can rely on you to making me happy and full. You’re the be all, end all cure to hangriness and your employees are some of the most kind people ever. They’re always providing samples or advice on what type of cheese would match well with certain types of wine. I love them. I love YOU.

I want you to know that I will always support you. I will loyally shop you until the day I die. I’m dedicated to you and the bond that we have created. I mean, who else has fresh cheese bread?! The answer is nobody. Because you are one-of-a-kind and the best and I won’t settle for anything less than the best out there. So thank you, Wegmans, for being there through every hunger episode, every busy Saturday morning, every birthday, graduation and wedding. You’ve been there through the good times and the bad and you never cease to amaze me with all you have and all you provide for picky eaters such as myself. I don’t know where I’d shop without you.

With much love and a full tummy,

Maddy Whitfield