- Press -

Charlotte’s retail scene is about to get a shake up, and northerners who’ve migrated to the area have reason to celebrate.

After years of rumors, New York-based Wegmans Food Markets is planning to open a 110,000-square-foot store in Northwood Investors’ Ballantyne mixed-use development, marking the grocery chain’s Charlotte debut, the Charlotte Business Journal reported. Wegmans aims to start construction next year, targeting completion by fall 2026.

The store will be located on North Community House Road, on the east side of Ballantyne, which is an affluent neighborhood roughly 15 miles south of downtown Charlotte. The area is burgeoning with high-end businesses that cater to the community’s luxury lifestyle.

In a market dominated by established grocery chains such as Harris Teeter, Food Lion and Publix, Wegmans intends to differentiate itself through its unique offerings and strategic pricing.

Wegmans will be next to the Bowl at Ballantyne, a mixed-use hub slated for retail, restaurants, multifamily and entertainment, with the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery anchoring it. The first phase calls for about 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, along with 350 apartments.

The Bowl, which is part of the more than $1 billion Ballantyne Reimagined project, is already 80 percent leased, with the first batch of tenants opening this spring.

Wegmans was bullish on Ballantyne as its launching pad in Charlotte due its vibrant community, accessibility and strong local economy.

“The demand was fierce and enthusiastic,” Hallie Johnston, Wegmans’ North Carolina district manager, told the outlet. “We have a lot of fun listening to our people and our customers. Charlotte told us loud and clear that we need to be here.”

The grocery chain made its North Carolina debut in 2019, when it opened a store in Raleigh. Wegmans’ success in the state capital, where it now has four locations, was another factor in its decision to enter the Charlotte market.

The grocer expects to employ between 400 and 500 people, including local hires and seasoned staff from other Wegmans locations.

Customers can expect a wide range of offerings, from traditional grocery departments to an extensive selection of wine and beer. In addition, the store will feature a market café with indoor and outdoor seating.

Wegmans has widespread appeal on the East Coast and in North Carolina. Local residents have eagerly awaited the grocer, with the Facebook group “Bring Wegman’s to Charlotte” erupting in celebration upon the official announcement.