A commenter on a recent and totally unrelated post wondered if I “know of any Wegmans in Columbia updates? It has been a few months since any word has been mentioned by you, HowChow, or anyone else.”
The anonymous commenter went on to say that they “Would like to see those yahoos drop their court case against Wegmans!”
I last posted about the continuing saga of the Columbia Wegmans back in the beginning of February. At that time I wrote that Wegmans was indeed moving forward with a projected opening date of spring 2011.
Yesterday, I spoke with Richard Talkin, their local attorney and he informed me that the grocer had prevailed in the legal challenges that sought to derail the project and that they were moving forward. He was not, however, able to give me a projected opening date for the store. The Wegmans website now lists the Columbia opening as “to be determined.”
I suspect that the recession may have more to do with the grocers delayed construction start than “those yahoos” that the commenter referred to.
As of the morning, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation still lists the Antwerpen Automotive Group as the property owner of the proposed Wegmans location at the corner of McGaw Road and Snowden River Parkway.
If you want to know more about how Wegmans views the economy and their business you can read a recent interview with Danny Wegman, CEO and Colleen Wegman, President, here.
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15 comments:
It's pretty sad that the anti-development militants have teamed up with labor unions on this project in a way that is so harmful to residents and to small business in Columbia.
Orinoco coffee shop died, at least in part, because of the lack of traffic the plaza across from the slated Wegman's got. It was the best locally owned coffee shop around. Though chains, same for Atlanta Bread Co., Z pizza, etc.
That area is industrial / commercial, and bringing a nice grocery store in would bring traffic and greatly improve the area. Plus, people really, really want a Wegman's.
What is Howard County telling the retail world right now, except "stay away"?
In the first of thr two Federal lawsuits this year against Howard County the plantiffs are trying to get a preliminary injuction to stop any activity by the county and 3rd parties on six projects including the Wegmans site. A hearing date has not been set.
Is Wegmans going to move forward while involved in the federal lawsuit or did they prevail? Confused here!
I still say wegmans should move into the old Expo building.
I don't know about the rest of the Commuters who work in Columbia, but I cannot wait for Wegmans! If you haven't been to one, head up to Timonium and you'll see how wonderful it will be, especially at lunch time. Their food court allows for one stop shopping, which is great for groups who can't agree on anything! Pizza, Subs, Chinese, Sushi, you name it! Plus there's a great food court overlooking the visually appealing interior. Here's hoping that now that the legal side seems to be speeding along, so will the construction efforts.
Wegmans is not being sued in Federal court. The suit is against the county. The plantiffs want a preliminary injunction that would bind 3rd parties (not named as a defendant) also. It is not likely that the injunction will be granted.
Paul Kendall said in the motion for the preliminary in junction that their claims are "essentially moot in all but a theoretical sense.” I guess they really don't care about all of their claims if they don't get the injunction.
So we the taxpayers get screwed again by having to pay to defend against these self serving individuals. I really want to see Wegmans and Howard County counter-sue these "yahoos" if that is possible. I'm sick of my tax dollars being wasted! Thanks for the update Wordbones.
Oh stop the spoiled bratty whiney crying.
If Hitler, Attila the Hun and company came by Howard County to offer takers 40 wegmans and a mule, some would obviously jump at the opportunty. (me, me, me)
There are more important things, like applying law equally to everyone in a Democracy. For those don't like it, maybe communist would work out better.
Two kinds of Republicans, folks:
1) Too Big To Fail wherein Capitalism is great except when taxpayers can be bilked dry,
2) Conservatives.
Making the distinction adds reality to perspective.
I agree that laws should be appied equally - that's why the Union should be counter sued...
The union doesn't seem to understand that we live in a free enterprise society where businesses are free to compete against each other. They believe that they should control all of the labor. They are getting a little too greedy.
I was the original anonymous poster. Thanks WB for the update! Obviously I'm a biased Wegmans fan and want them to move forward. Hopefully they will find a reason to justify that in spite of the economy. And by the way, WB, thanks for all of the helpful info you and other HoCo bloggers provide on a regular basis. My wife and I are new to the area and have frequently turned to blogs like yours to get an understanding of what makes HoCo "tick," and also all that HoCo has to offer (i.e. you gave us the idea to go hiking in Patapsco State Park not long ago). Much appreciated!
Anon 10:36 AM,
Thanks for dropping by and chiming in. Welcome to the hood.
-wb
Hi WB -
Same original Anonymous guy again (the "yahoo" poster/new to Howard County). Just checked the Howard County building permits site - turns out Wegmans submitted a building permit application for the McGaw Road site on 6/30/09. Good news for all of us Wegmans fans!! Thought you'd like to know.
I love the anonymous commentor who highlighted the building permit. I assume it the same person who commented on HowChow. Thank you.
Although seriously, I hope the future of American journalism isn't me looking at Howard County Web sites on my lunch break. Even Jessie X has to admit that isn't the foundation of democracy.
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