If you’ve ever stood in the middle of the Virginia Beach Wegmans on a Saturday morning, you know it feels less like a grocery store and more like a high-stakes sporting event. People are everywhere. There is a specific kind of "Wegmans energy" that locals in Hampton Roads didn't really understand until that massive 113,000-square-foot flagship landed at the corner of Virginia Beach and Independence boulevards. Honestly, before it opened in 2019, most of us were perfectly happy with our usual routines. Then the cheese cave happened.
People around here love to debate whether it lives up to the hype. Is it just a glorified supermarket? Sorta. But it’s also a place where you can get a dry-aged ribeye, a custom-rolled sushi platter, and a decent craft beer all while your car is parked in a massive multi-level deck. It’s a lot.
The Reality of the Wegmans Virginia Beach Experience
Let’s get the logistics out of the way. The store is located at 4721 Virginia Beach Blvd. It’s basically the gateway to Town Center. If you are coming from Norfolk or Chesapeake, you’ve probably felt that pang of "is it worth the traffic?" more than once. The answer usually depends on whether you need a specific type of truffle oil or if you’re just looking for a gallon of milk.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking this is a budget-friendly shop. It isn't. Sure, the "Family Pack" items under the Wegmans brand are actually quite a steal—think massive bags of frozen veggies or bulk snacks—but the lure of the prepared food bars is where they get you. You walk in for eggs; you walk out with a $15 poke bowl and a slice of Mediterranean pizza. It happens to the best of us.
Why the Layout is Designed to Make You Wander
Wegmans isn't laid out like a Harris Teeter or a Kroger. It’s designed as a "European open-air market." Basically, that’s corporate-speak for "we want you to get lost near the bakery so you buy a loaf of rosemary sourdough."
- The Produce Island: It’s huge. They source locally from the Mid-Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay watersheds when they can.
- The Seafood Counter: This is a big deal for Virginia Beach. Because we’re a coastal city, people are snobs about fish. Wegmans actually flies in whole fish daily.
- The Burger Bar: This is a full-on casual restaurant inside the store. It’s actually good. Like, "I would eat here even if I weren't grocery shopping" good.
Is It Still the King of Hampton Roads Grocers?
When Wegmans first arrived, there was a lot of talk about how it would kill off the local competition. That hasn't really happened, but it did force everyone else to level up. You’ll notice the newer Harris Teeters in the area have much better hot bars now. Competition is good for us, the eaters.
The Virginia Beach location is Wegmans' 99th store. It was a massive investment for the Rochester-based company. They hired about 500 people for this single location. That’s a lot of blue polo shirts. The scale of the operation is what makes it different. You aren't just buying food; you're participating in a supply chain that feels significantly more polished than your average neighborhood mart.
The "Cult" Factor
It’s weird to say a grocery store has a cult following, but go there on a Sunday when the Redskins—er, Commanders—are playing. The dip section is a war zone.
The obsession usually stems from the Wegmans brand products. Most store brands feel like a cheap knock-off. Wegmans brand often feels better than the name brand. Their sparkling water (Wegmans Bubbly) has a following that rivals LaCroix, and don't even get people started on the frozen cauliflower crust pizzas.
Pro Tips for Navigating the Chaos
If you want to actually enjoy your time there without losing your mind, you need a strategy.
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Avoid the 5:00 PM rush. Honestly, just don't do it. Between the commuters heading home from Town Center and the "what's for dinner" crowd, the prepared food section becomes a mosh pit.
Use the app. The Wegmans app is surprisingly functional. It tells you exactly which aisle an item is in. This is crucial because, again, the store is 113,000 square feet. You can walk a half-mile just looking for capers if you aren't careful.
The Parking Deck Secret. Everyone tries to park on the ground level right near the entrance. It’s a nightmare. Just drive up to the second or third level of the deck. There is an entrance that leads right into the cafe area. It’s faster, easier on your paint job, and you get to walk past the bakery first.
What About Expansion?
People always ask if we’re getting another one. For now, this is the flagship for the entire 757 area code. While Wegmans is expanding heavily into North Carolina—with a massive Charlotte (Ballantyne) location slated for late 2026—they tend to be very picky about where they plant their flags. They don't over-saturate. They want each store to be a destination.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you're planning a trip to the Virginia Beach Wegmans, do these three things to make it worth the drive:
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- Check the "Meals 2GO" App: You can order your subs or pizza before you even leave your house. Pick them up at the counter and skip the 20-minute line at the deli.
- Hit the Cheese Cave: Even if you aren't a cheese nerd, it’s impressive. Ask for a sample of the Professor’s Brie. It’s a game-changer.
- Look for the "Local" Tags: Wegmans is surprisingly good at stocking Virginia-made products, from North Carolina-based coffee roasters to local produce during the summer months.
The Virginia Beach store has settled into the community nicely. It’s no longer the "shiny new toy," but it remains the gold standard for anyone who actually enjoys the act of food shopping. Just watch out for the carts in the parking deck; they have a mind of their own.