Wegmans Food Markets

Grocery stores can be difficult places for you and your preschooler. There are temptations everywhere. Wegmans stores have several features that can help make it easier. Currently, Wegmans has nearby store locations in Sterling, VA (Dulles) and Fairfax, VA. Four more stores are in the works for the DC metro area with two each in Virginia and Maryland.

Wegmans has marked parking for parents shopping with children near the store, right next to the handicapped parking spaces. Now your companions with shorter legs can shorten the distance to the door! On the other hand, only one of the spaces was available (on a Friday afternoon), and there was a cart in it so it couldn't be used. At peak hours, you'll have to beat the crowd.

Some Wegmans stores have childcare called WKids where you can drop off your preschooler for a maximum of one hour while you get your shopping done. Childcare is provided for kids ages 3-8, and they have to be potty trained (no training pants). At the Dulles location, there are videos, video games, toys and play areas with a play kitchen, and a climbing structure. At the Dulles store, WKids is open from 9 AM to 8 PM seven days a week. There is no WKids center at the Fairfax store. The Dulles WKids seems a little top heavy on video and gaming entertainment, so consider it carefully if that's not how you want your preschooler spending his or her time.

There’s a lot of staff on hand at Wegmans to help you find things quickly, and to prepare orders at the Bakery, Deli, Meat, Seafood and other departments. As soon as you walk up to the counter, someone asks how they can help you, and there are enough people there that 2 or 3 customers can be served at a time. That means you (and your preschooler) are less likely to have to wait.

Wegmans has a dizzying array of organics, all natural products, and items from around the world. The organic and natural products are mostly concentrated in an area called Nature's Marketplace (next to the Produce section), rather than out on the other shelves with their product counterparts, so keep that in mind if you prefer these products and start here, then follow the store directory to find the categories for other things you need.

Depending on store location, you can have your dry cleaning done, photos printed, and get your prescriptions, as well as many other services. Both the Dulles and Fairfax stores have Market Cafes, where you can sit and eat. Choices include pizza, subs made to order, a pasta bar, vegetarian bar, sushi and Chinese food, along with lots of different beverages. In other words, you should definitely be able to find something your preschooler will eat, and the registers are centrally located so you can pay in one place for items from different areas. If you just need a few things from the grocery section, you can check out at the Cafe register at the same time as you pay for your food.

45131 Columbia Place

Sterling, VA 20166

703-421-2400

Open 6 AM - Midnight, 7 days a week

 

11620 Monument Dr

Fairfax, VA 22030

703-653-1600

Open 6 AM - Midnight, 7 days a week