UPDATED: Wegmans Announces Plans for a Newton Store

Updated 3:40 p.m. with more information from Wegmans media relations.

Is Newton ready to go

The popular supermarket chain announced today it will be a part of the in Newton, the former Omni Foods site. According to a press release, Wegmans will be unveiling a new, smaller urban concept store that spans 70,000 sq. ft.

"Though smaller in size, this store will have almost everything customers have come to expect from Wegmans, including a Market Café,” Bill Congdon, vice president and New England division manager, said in the press release. "We are thrilled with the success of our Northborough store, which broke every previous grand opening record set by our company."

When Wegmans came to Northborough in October, for the opening of the supermarket. 

According to Jo Natale, director of media relations for Wegmans, the company was drawn to the Chestnut Hill site for a number of reasons, including population density.

"It’s a great location, an exciting project and it has great proximity to Boston," Natale said. 

In addition to the Chestnut Hill and Northborough stores, Natale noted that Wegmans plans to open two other Massachusetts in Burlington and Westwood. 

As for the Chestnut Hill store, Natale said the Wegmans signed off on the deal last week. There is no estimate on the opening date yet, as the design plans for the "urban"-style store are yet not finalized.

A full copy of the press release is below:

Wegmans Announces Plans to Build Store in Newton, MA 

Rochester, NY - Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. has announced that it will be part of the Chestnut Hill Square development on Route 9 (Boylston Street), directly across from The Mall at Chestnut Hill in Newton, Massachusetts.  Wegmans will be unveiling a new, smaller urban concept at this location, where it will build a 70,000 sq. ft. food store.

“Though smaller in size, this store will have almost everything customers have come to expect from Wegmans, including a Market Café,” says Bill Congdon, vice president and New England division manager.  “We are thrilled with the success of our Northborough store, which broke every previous grand opening record set by our company.” 

Since opening in October, Congdon reports that Wegmans has added 25 full- and part-time positions at the Northborough store and is looking to hire 40 to 45 more employees.  Available positions are posted on Wegmans web site.  Those interested must apply on-line at wegmans.com.

“We’re delighted that Wegmans will be part of our Chestnut Hill Square development”, said Douglass Karp, Executive Vice President of New England Development.  “We’ve always wanted to have a grocery store as part of this development – a sentiment that has been expressed both by Newton residents and by prospective retailers. Wegmans, with its emphasis on customer service, quality, value pricing, and community outreach, is the ideal grocery store for this location.”

Chestnut Hill Square, which in addition to Wegmans, will feature fashionable specialty shops, restaurants, the Equinox fitness club, medical offices and luxury residences, is a project of New England Development, who is also the developer for the Northborough Crossing project where Wegmans opened its first New England store earlier this year.  

Design plans for the new concept store are not yet finalized, nor has a construction schedule or opening date been determined, according to Congdon.

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 79-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts.  The family-owned company, founded in 1916, is recognized as an industry leader and innovator.  Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for fourteen consecutive years.  In 2011, Wegmans ranked #3 on the list.