By Miller Fishback
Service Area Manager Cody Nunn and Store Manager Emily Gee by the Wegmans floral section during an event for local media. July 21, 2025. Photo: Miller Fishback.
When Emily Gee started working as a part-time cashier at a Wegmans in Upstate New York nearly two decades ago, she never imagined that was going to be the only job she’d have.
“I have been with Wegmans for 19 years,” said Gee, now the store manager of the new Norwalk location. “It’s my first and only job, and I will admit, I didn’t think that was going to be the case when I first joined. But I really did fall in love with the company and the values and all of the opportunities to learn and grow.”
That kind of devotion was no accident – it is baked into Wegmans culture.
On Wednesday, the beloved grocery chain officially launched its first Connecticut location. The Norwalk site was announced in 2022, and has been much anticipated among Fairfield County residents.
“We’ve been trying to get a store in Connecticut for the past 25 years. Our stores are big, so we need a lot of space. We also have to look at many different things like population density and accessibility to our customers,” Gee said.
The Norwalk site features three entrances – Connecticut Ave, Keeler Ave, and Richards Ave – a design intended to alleviate the congestion on Connecticut Ave and ensure that customers have a smooth shopping experience.
“Being family owned and operated for over 109 years, the Wegman family really allows us to take care of our people at a personal level,” Gee said. “The best part about my job is that I get to build those one-on-one relationships with all of our people and find what they are passionate about. Once we do that, we put them in departments that align with their passion and that’s what makes the shopping experience so fun.”
Since August, the Norwalk team has hired over 500 employees. With its strong emphasis on customer care, culinary excellence, and a values-driven team culture, this careful approach doesn’t happen overnight.
“We can teach you how to do things like ice a cake, cut a fish, ring a register – but you can’t teach somebody to be a good person and to want to help others,” Gee said. “We feel that’s really why our culture sets us apart from our competitors.”
Wegmans’ famous Wellness Keys help shoppers quickly identify products that meet specific health and lifestyle needs, making decisions about their brand-name foods easier and safer. These shelf tags and signs highlight attributes like gluten-free, organic, low sodium, plant-based, or free from common allergens.
Most of Wegmans’ products are “Food You Feel Good About,” meaning that they are healthier, yet still provide a standard of excellence in taste and affordability.
Wegmans Tropical Fruit Salsa, one of their many “Foods You Feel Good About”. July 21, 2025. Photo: Miller Fishback.
The store also offers fresh, complete meals designed for both convenience and health with veggies and 20 to 40 grams of protein. In-store chefs and culinary experts are available throughout the day to guide shoppers on ingredients, pairings, and preparation.
Whether fresh sushi, artisan pizza, hot Asian cuisine, custom subs, or coffee, each department prides themselves on the level of dedication they have to delivering consistency, flavor, and service. For instance, seafood – sourced daily from local docks and international waters – is prepped by in-store fishmongers who devote themselves to helping customers find the best cut.
Wegmans employee preparing their signature, gluten-free Latin Chicken bowl. July 21, 2025. Photo: Miller Fishback.
Wegmans employee preparing their Greenhouse-Grown Chickpea Caesar Salad. July 21, 2025. Photo: Miller Fishback.
Wegmans Organic Sourdough Miche Bread prepared with Wegmans Butter Boy French Butter. July 21st, 2025. Photo: Miller Fishback.
Behind the scenes, at the Wegmans Organic Farm and Orchard in Canandaigua, New York, experts test out new crops and growing techniques, sharing what they learn with partner farms to keep produce fresh and flavorful.
Shoppers can also explore a curated global selection, including Mediterranean antipasti, Cheese Cave-aged specialties, and international cuisines from Italy to Korea.
While opening a 94,000 square foot store is not an easy task, Gee emphasized that the journey was a smooth and collaborative effort.
“Being a company of 54,000 employees, there is somebody that helps with everything and we certainly didn’t do it alone. For whatever we need, if we make a phone call, someone will be there. It’s been very smooth and we are just excited to see it all come to life.”
Wegmans in Norwalk is sure to provide a high-quality, convenient customer experience that reflects the teamwork, dedication, and support behind every detail.