Wegmans is growing again. Trade publication Deli Market News reports that the Rochester-based grocery chain is “ramping up its operations across the East Coast.”
A deeper reading of the story suggests its expansion only reaches as far north as Virginia. Rather, Wegmans is focusing on the fast-growing areas in North Carolina, specifically the Research Triangle. Its expansion map does show one new store in central New Jersey and another in Harrison, N.Y. But most are in the Raleigh area.
There are a number of Capital Region residents who would like to see Wegmans stores here. They’re reminded of its absence every time another Wegmans tractor trailers makes its way across the New York State Thruway eastward into Massachusetts.
When a colleague Googled to find out where the nearest Massachusetts store was to the Capital Region, an ad touting Golub Corp.’s flagship Market Bistro in Latham popped up. We were pleased to see our local chain applying some promotional pressure.
Outdated hold rooms
The ever evolving airline industry is keeping airport planners on their toes. When the Albany International Airport’s new terminal was built in the late 1990s, the largest planes landing here typically had no more than 125 seats.
Then came the surge in regional jet traffic, with each plane holding 50 seats or fewer. For awhile, it looked like the existing hold rooms, as they’re called, would suffice.
But the latest arrivals — so-called ultra low fare carriers Frontier and Allegiant — are flying full-size Airbus jets into Albany and the newest of those have 186 seats (Allegiant) or 180 seats (Frontier).
Airport officials thus are staggering flights arriving and departing from adjacent gates in order to ensure enough seats to go around, at least as passengers wait to board. They may want to stretch out, because seating in the air likely will be tight.
Jinxed from the start?
When Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed his 13th proposal for the annual State of the State message last week, he focused it on high-speed rail and ways to get it done. Rail advocates welcomed the proposal, while opponents suggested everything from subsidized regional jet service instead (been there, done that) to doing nothing at all.
And more than one observer wondered whether the fact it was the 13th proposal to be included in the upcoming State of the State message doomed it from the start. At least the governor didn’t unveil it on a Friday.
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