Suburban grocery heaven is taking root in the coronary heart of Manhattan.

Wegmans has confirmed it is bringing its beloved aisles to the Upper West Side, a spokesperson revealed to West Side Rag on Tuesday. The premium grocer will take over 1932 Broadway, between West sixty fourth and sixty fifth streets — a prime area where teaser signage has hung for over two years.

The web site initially housed Bed Bath & Beyond, which closed in early 2023 during companywide retailer reductions and chapter proceedings. Wegmans indicators went up in June 2024, but the storefront remained vacant.

Signage for the new Wegmans grocery store is up at the former Bed Bath & Beyond area at 1932 Broadway. Pix 11

Company spokesperson Mandee Puleo confirmed the grocer is actively designing the format and securing municipal permits. While an official opening date stays up in the air, the retailer’s arrival is locked in.

The Upper West Side location will mark the chain’s second Manhattan retailer. Company reps famous in February that actual property negotiations with landlord Glenwood initially stalled at 1932 Broadway, prompting them to focus on opening their 87,000-square-foot location at 770 Broadway in Astor Place, which debuted in 2023.

Now that the Rochester-based grocer is established downtown, focus has pivoted back Uptown to finalize the UWS web site.

“This means the Upper West Side store is expected to open?” West Side Rag requested Puleo to make the announcement clear.

“Yes. Just no timeline yet,” Puleo reportedly answered.

Yet weary locals stay deeply skeptical. Social media customers are uncertain over whether the retailer will ever really open, with one cynical Redditor calling it “a plan for a plan” and another predicting an opening date won’t come until 2030.

“The second coming of Christ has had fewer delays than this one,” sneered an Instagrammer.

“Let me get this straight. June 2024: signs are posted. It’s happening. Oct 2026: spokesperson confirms it’s happening. Feb 2029: do we get a date on when it’s happening?” commented another consumer.

Wegmans Astor Place retailer is seen at Lafayette and East eighth Streets, which opened on Oct. 18, 2023. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Beyond the timeline cynicism, the retailer bringing neighborhood congestion and visitors is also concerning locals. 

“Noooo not this franchise on the West Side!” one alarmed commenter railed. “It’ll definitely attract too many people and cause so much chaos and traffic! This isn’t the East Side! I hope people boycott.”

Wegmans sole Manhattan location has confronted backlash for its facial recognition system used to ID prospects. “Wegmans … collects, retains, converts, stores or shares customers’ biometric identifier information which may include facial recognition, eye scans, voiceprints,” the retailer’s notices learn.

It is unknown whether the new location will have the same programs.

While the new Wegmans design plans are underway, locals agree on one consensus: they’ll believe it when they see it.