Wegmans or Harris Teeter?

Having lived in North Carolina for 13 years I became a Harris Teeter fan.  It wasn't always that way.  I preferred Hannaford when I first moved to town.  But then Food Lion bought Hannaford and closed down all the Hannaford stores.  Sorry Food Lion, but Hannaford shoppers are not going to switch to Food Lion so I was "forced" to Harris Teeter.  In the end I fell in love - I knew where everything was located, aisles made sense, half price sub specials were a favorite and cajun crab dip was a special treat.  My favorite specialty grocer from the Carolinas is Fresh Market - ohh how I miss my artichoke crab dip from Fresh Market!

Anyway, while living in the Carolinas you are surrounded by NY transplants who all tout the glorious Wegmans.  After living in NY for a year and a half I'm still working on the transition.  I've conquoered Wegmans more out of necessity than desire, similar to my conversion to Harris Teeter.  I find the layout beyond perplexing, but if I stick to just the produce and organic section I'm limited to about 1/8 of the store and I can make it.  If I don't see what I need I ask the staff, they are more than kind and have even headed to the back to get me the last bunch of organic kale from the rinse sink!  Now that is service!

However, IF what I need is outside that realm my palms start to sweat and my heart begins to beat faster.  I've come to singing Gloria Gayner "I will Survive" as I exit this small comfort zone.  I have broken down more than once in the middle of Wegmans throwing an all out temper tantrum one time because I had looked at all 3 tea locations (yes there are 3 spots to find tea bags in Wegmans) and I couldn't find the tea I bought at the store last week.  Where did they move it to now?  Or was that at the Wegmans closer to our Church where I found it?  Note:  No two Wegmans near us are set up alike.  I often give the list over to Dann if we leave my comfort zone while I head to the cheese department.  I can handle circling the cheese department a few times to find the kind I'm looking for.

So if you need a Wegmans survival guide, here it is (1) Go to the same store all the time, do not switch locations (2) Limit the type of food you buy - if you stick with produce & organic - they are RIGHT near each other and you can avoid 90% of the store. (3) Take a friend or spouse - that way you can go different directions to find where they moved the ______(fill in the blank) that you have to have for Sunday dinner.

Better yet - buy from a farmer - we get our meat from Duink's in Hamburg and early and late season tomatoes there too!  Farmers Markets are opening up soon and don't forget Lexington Coop, Farmer's and Artisans and the soon to be East Aurora Coop!