Dear Wegmans:

This past weekend, I discovered your awesomeness.

I had to go to the Cherry Hill Mall for a new pair of glasses. There's no LensCrafters in Center City and I didn't have the time or energy to go to King of Prussia. But what to do in that hour between picking out my glasses and picking them up? Brunch, and then a trip to see you for dinner ingredients and snacks for the guests we expected in the afternoon.

Ross had told me before about your wonders. But I didn't understand. Not until I walked in, went past the produce, and discovered your ethnic foods aisle, complete with many products I'd only been able to find, previously, back home or in small Mexican groceries in South Philly. Sure, they were marked up a little from what I'm used to paying—but there's a price to be paid for the convenience of getting your Herdez a few aisles away from your Heinz. Still in a bit of awe over the plethora of products from Mexico, I wandered to the cheese counter. Now, it's no Di Bruno's, but it's still an impressive showing—especially when you go around the corner from the cheese and see all of the prepared foods (brie en croute with fresh berries? Yes, please!) waiting for you to take them home. And beyond the cheeses, there are the meats, the pastries, even the cut flowers!

I was in heaven. But we were expecting company, so I couldn't linger. I said a fond farewell and we headed back to LensCrafters, where I discovered that one of my new lenses was defective. (Note to self: they never called me back to let me know that the new lens is in. I should follow up.) And then it was back to Philly, where I set up a glorious cheese plate full of purchases I made at you.

But it makes me wonder, Wegmans, darling: why don't you set up a Center City-friendly location? I'm not saying you should set up shop in the Municipal Services Building or anything, but why not set up shop in Graduate Hospital? Or Northern Liberties? Or Fairmount? Somewhere where I (or anyone else) can take a taxi that doesn't include a toll fee. I promise, I'll patronize you regularly and won't complain about your prices. But I don't think I can go back to Whole Foods now. You and I, we shared something special. I think we should see where it goes. Especially if it goes within walking distance of where I am.

Image Credit: Flickr user cwbuecheler