Wegmans opened its first D.C. location Thursday, and for all the excitement, you’d have thought the city was getting a Disneyland.

The Rochester-based mega-grocery chain is beloved, and has a rabid fanbase (I’m talking self-proclaimed Wegmaniacs). So when the construction of a Wegmans for the redevelopment of the former Fannie Mae headquarters was announced in 2018, D.C. residents were rejoicing.

Four years later, they were more than ready to go for the store’s grand opening; and reader, I was going to be right there with them. Not even bothering to try tame the frizz in my hair on a mid-July day in the D.C. area, I strapped on my backpack and embraced my Dora the Explorer aesthetic. Y’all, we’re going to Wegmans.

7:58 a.m. As a Metro rider, I arrive at the Tenleytown station and climb the long escalator to be greeted by the morning humidity. I begin my 15-minute trek to the Wegmans.

8:05 a.m. I pass by a storefront with a Wegmans sign, but just a heads up. It’s actually an office building with a hiring center that has caused a lot of confusion for Wegmans shoppers.

8:15 a.m. As I approach, I’m confused to see only the City Ridge building and signs for Wegmans parking. There is already a bit of traffic as cars start to fill the garages. (That’s right, there are two garages for this urban Wegmans, whereas the suburban version is usually surrounded by a massive parking lot.)

8:16 a.m. Thankfully, a kind construction worker directs me towards the pedestrian pathway that admittedly would have been tough to find without help. (The store is still largely surrounded by construction, as developer Roadside builds a series of new buildings around the historic brick structure that previously housed Fannie Mae.) 

8:19 a.m. Still embracing my Dora Explorer energy, I’m makin’ my way downtown, walkin’ fast, turn around and there’s Wegmans (doo doo doo doo). Tucked away behind the City Ridge building, I can peek in and see the surprisingly large grocery store inside

I find Rita Matthews sitting with Byron Briscoe at a table outside Wegmans’ in-house cafe, waiting for the store to open. I ask this Wegmans veteran and “virgin,” respectively, about their excitement for the store and what brought them out this morning.

“I grew up and was born and raised in the area and for Wisconsin Avenue, this is something phenomenal,” Matthews said.

Briscoe said he had never a been to a Wegmans before, and he was ready for the adventure, adding it was going to be “a big day” for him. 

8:26 a.m. No formal line has formed. I see staff gather inside and some taking photos outside to commemorate the event.

8:36 a.m. Remember those cars I mentioned? Well, the masses are starting to come from the garages. A line starts to form as more people arrive, a suspicious number of them holding mini D.C. flags. (Maybe a Wegmans giveaway?) I also spot a dog and almost lose my cool for a second. I’m happy to report I keep it together. 

I see a couple of friends trying to take selfie in front of a Wegmans backdrop and step in to help them get the shot. When we’re done, I ask them about their love for Wegmans.

“I’m just glad that we have one in D.C. … It’s easy to get to,” one of the women said. “You have an option. You catch a subway, the bus, or you can walk … I’m looking forward to coming up at 6 a.m. to do my shopping.” (6 a.m.? I could never, but power to the morning people. Bless you all.)

8:41 a.m. As I chat with more people in the line, I hear a drum roll in the distance. I whip my head around to see that … the British are coming? Nope, but there is a fife and drum band in full red coat regalia parading down the road. For a second, I’m not sure if there’s a reenactment event happening at the same time as this grand opening. But no, this is Wegmans-approved. (Spoiler alert: the band continued their parade throughout the whole store once it opened.)

So um first field reporting assignment went well? 😅 More incoming later today about the new Wegmans on Wash Ave! #fifelife pic.twitter.com/N2PDjr9Wsa

— Aja Drain (@aja_drain) July 13, 2022

8:49 a.m. Deana Percassi, a PR representative for Wegmans, spots me and lets me into the store ahead of the crowd.

8:52 a.m. I’m swept up in a crowd of staff gathering to take an opening day photo. The photographer shouts for smiles. It’s giving … Disney? 

8:56 a.m. Salmon has been delivered. I repeat, dozens of salmon filets have now been placed in a prominent display to raucous applause and cheers. I wasn’t expecting that much enthusiasm for Omega-3s, but that’s a great source of healthy fat. Go off y’all. 

9:00 a.m. Before shoppers are let inside, a store manager stands on a platform asking if it’s anyone’s birthday? To which the crowd, replies “It’s Wegmans’ birthday!” (Oh yeah, confirmed Disney energy). Applause is then followed by singing “Happy Birthday.” As I pass by some staff, I can’t help but overhear that it actually was someone’s birthday. (I hope they get some free cake today).

After “Happy Birthday,” the Wegmans staff take part in the Wegmans cheer (think YMCA, but spelling out Wegmans instead).

9:04 a.m. The doors have been thrown open and Wegman’s customers have entered the building. After some initial congestion, everyone’s off to the races. (Well, not really racing … more like meandering?)

9:07 a.m. I join in on the meandering and goodness gracious, as expected, there is a smorgasbord of food. It’s true what they say, never go to a grocery store hungry. I’m salivating at the poke bowl stand, there’s already a line for the burger bar, and I’m passing premade entree after entree, from Chinese dumplings to roasted chicken with mac ‘n’ cheese.

9:30 a.m. I’ve caved to starvation and straight up body a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant (which I’ll be honest was mid-tier, but breakfast is breakfast).

Look, full transparency: I was already Wegmans enthusiast before going to this opening (not a full-blown Wegmaniac, but I like the store). It was a staple in my house growing up. But with that said, I never saw it as more than just a bougie grocery store (not Whole Foods levels of bougie, but it’s got cheese plates and sushi, c’mon now). 

But seeing the joy of first-day Wegmans groupies, I was very struck by how much a store could provide a sense of community. It was actually fun to see how excited people were to come to the grand opening and hear about their hopes for more of its stores to open in D.C.’s other wards.

And so my morning adventure to the Disney of grocery stores concluded. It may have been long (and humid) but it was still filled with lots of joy and a dash of Wegmania.

Dora, out.