The opening of Weis Markets’ latest flagship store in Bellefonte, Pa., in late February attracted all three local Central Pennsylvania TV station’s news crews. It also attracted Grocery Headquarters. Read about the newest Weis Market in The Belle of Bellefonte—and see the photos below.
Weis Markets Weis Markets’ new Bellefonte, Pa., store is built on a hilltop that was once a farm, about a mile outside of town. Weis Markets The Weis management team includes, from left, Brad Kochenour, regional vice president; Jeremy Lumadue, store manager; Kurt Schertle, senior vice president; and Terry Cox, district manager. Weis Markets Weis is so famous for its ice cream that a giant Weis Quality ice cream balloon was part of the grand opening festivities. It is tethered down to prevent it from becoming an ice cream float. Weis Markets Upon entering the store, shoppers are greeted with massive displays of the week’s specials. For the grand opening that included local favorite Middleswarth potato chips on sale at buy-one-get-two-free. Weis Markets By state law, supermarkets are not allowed to sell beer in Pennsylvania. Weis, however, is an exception because it has a Beer Café adjacent to the deli. By law it includes seating and a separate register. Weis Markets Many beers are sold refrigerated. Weis Markets A popular item in the Beer Café is the Create-a-6-Pack, mix-and-match for $10.99. Weis Markets By specializing in local beers, Weis is changing how beer is consumed in Central Pennsylvania. Weis Markets A vastly expanded produce department is part of the new store. Weis Markets To capitalize on a current trend, refrigerated dressings get their own shelf set at the beginning of the produce section in the new store. Weis Markets Unlike competitors that use central commissaries, at Weis cut fruit is prepared right in the store; sales are up 200%. Weis Markets A $24 Luau fruit bowl is prepared on-premise and sold shortly after being photographed. Weis Markets Store-made fruit baskets are popular gifts that shoppers bring to area hospitals and nursing homes. Weis Markets To serve Bellefonte’s growing and changing demographics, Weis includes an International Produce section. Weis Markets It includes Asian and South American root vegetables. Weis Markets Sugar cane stalks are only $1.49 each. Weis Markets Across from Produce are the Hot Foods and Deli Counters. Weis Markets This area includes the DeLallo olive bar. It contains smaller pans to reduce shrink. Weis Markets Prepared dinners Weis Markets Store-made sushi Weis Markets Hot and cold Panera Bread and Weis Market Street brand soups. Weis Markets There is also a Dietz & Watson Marquis Deli. Weis Markets It features a “Double your money back” guarantee. Weis Markets There is a full assortment of Dietz & Watson products. Weis Markets Even store-made hoagies bear a Dietz & Watson seal to set them apart from competitors that use store-brand meats. Weis Markets 135 varieties of cheese are merchandised in an easy-to-merchandise curved case that takes less room and offers a better presentation with less inventory than a traditional straight case. Weis Markets Although rung up on the Bakery key, store-made French bread and bagel pizzas are merchandised closer to the Deli. They reduce shrink by making good use of excess bakery items. Weis Markets Store-decorated cakes are extremely popular. Weis Markets Artisan breads from Gemelli’s Bakery in State College are brought in daily. This Weis location is the only supermarket to sell them. Weis Markets Donuts are made in-store and are a huge seller. Weis Markets A freezer case houses frozen sheet cakes, along with Carvel, Friendly’s and Weis Quality ice cream cakes. Weis Markets Merchandisers placed across from Bakery and Seafood house related ancillary products, such as breading, cocktail sauce, lobster bibs, nut crackers and mallets. Weis Markets Customers love the new service seafood department. Weis Markets The new prototype houses a greatly enhanced HBC department. Weis Markets Hot buys on HBC items are converting drugstore customers. Weis Markets To ease embarrassment and make shopping easier, men’s adult incontinence products are merchandised in a separate aisle next to the razors and shaving cream. Weis Markets Baby food is merchandised from innovative gravity-fed merchandisers, similar to what Campbell’s does in soup, resulting automatic rotation, less shrink and less breakage. Weis Markets A close-up look. Weis Markets Toys turn the baby care aisle into a kids’ destination section. Weis Markets Greeting cards are now merchandised in the Seasonal Aisle to build synchronies with candy and holiday items. Weis Markets Gardners Candies add a local touch to the Seasonal Aisle. Weis Markets At Weis, Pet is the number-two Center Store category behind carbonated soft drinks. Weis Markets Service meats are extremely popular. Weis Markets Weis highlights its local meats in a special shelf set. Weis Markets Hogs Galore brand Hot Pepper Cheese Ring Bologna is just one of hundreds of local specialties stocked in Weis. Try finding THAT in L.A.! Weis Markets A large alcove at the front of the store near the commercial bread section houses seasonal items, such as barbecues and patio furniture. Weis Markets All dairy is now housed behind energy-efficient doors. Weis Markets Weis manufactures its own ice cream. Available in 63 flavors, it is so popular – and delicious – that it accounts for 40% of all ice cream sales. Weis Markets Utz created these private label pretzel sticks in honor of the chain’s 100th anniversary. Weis Markets With everything that Weis offers it is easy to see why the parking lot at Weis is always packed.
