wegmans and coca-cola, two great things that go great together

Back before Christmas (I know it SEEMS like 5 months ago, but it was really only about 5 weeks ago) I was invited to a blogger event sponsored by Coca-Cola and Wegmans.

I've long HEARD about how amazing Wegmans grocery stores are, but I live in the Land of the Sucky Grocery Options, so I never really imagined I would shop in one. Then LO and BEHOLD, Wegmans opened a new store in November not far from me.

It opened to HUGE FANFARE and people stretched in a line around the building. (*ahem* Janel) I was curious, but couldn't find the time to get there and check it out.

So when I got the invitation to see the new store and hear about something new from Coca-Cola, I jumped at the chance. And let me just say, I'm all in favor of enhancing the grocery shopping experience. I love Trader Joes and Whole Foods, but, you know, they're GROCERY STORES. Cooler than the average, but still a place where I have to push a cart and spend hundreds of dollars on stuff that will be gone in 4 days. So I figured I'd LIKE Wegmans, you know, for a grocery store.

Can I just say? They should put a bench right inside the door of Wegmans. Because honest to God, I had to SIT DOWN when I first walked in there. First of all, it covers ACRES. There must have been 30 gleaming check-stands, and not a line in sight. Hardwood floors. And antique train running overhead in the dairy section. A bakery that looked like something tucked in a little alley in Paris. An olive bar with at least 20 different options. (Of olives! I know!!)



A "Complements" aisle with serving platters, linens, all kinds of gifts, including Playmobil and Melissa & Doug toys. And LE CREUSET bakeware. (I know, right?) I could have done all my Christmas shopping RIGHT IN THAT AISLE. (And if this gives you the impression that Wegmans is an expensive store, you are all wrong about that. Their prices for basic things like milk and bread are much better than what I usually pay at my local chain. Just think! You can save all that money and buy yourself a Le Creuset dutch oven!)




And did I even mention the prepared food? Indian, Chinese, Thai, sushi, Italian... I died and went to haus frau heaven!




If you live anywhere near me and have not been to Wegmans yet, GET THEE OVER YONDER!!! It is simply amazing.

Over in the restaurant part of the store (I KNOW! Did you READ THAT? A restaurant! In the store! Where you can eat your Indian food, or bazillions of other food options!) there is a machine that will blow your mind away.

I kid you not.

It's the iPhone of Coke machines. Or maybe the Keurig of Coke machines. It is the coolest freaking Coke machine ever. It's called the Freestyle. Look at it.



Don't you want to pet it? (It has a touch screen!)

It can make 106 different combinations of Coke products. 106! In this one little machine! You can get flavors you can't get anywhere else. Raspberry Coke, anyone? (Video here.) I sampled an existing product that I hadn't tried before... Cherry Coke Zero. It is CRACK ya'll. I drank 60 ounces of it, right there. (No exaggeration. I was up all night.) Since then, I've consumed quite a bit more, although none of it is quite as good as it was out of the Freestyle machine. The Freestyle makes the PERFECT drink, every single time. It's Pure Pour technology - mixed by computer right at the point where it shoots into your cup.

You know those fountain sodas where the fizz has run out and it's flat and syrupy? Or the syrup has run out and it's just fizz? Can't happen with a Freestyle. It even has wifi so it can do stuff like order it's own supplies.

They'll be rolling out Freestyle machines in various locations, but the closest one to me for now is at Wegmans. And now that I've had crack Cherry Coke Zero out of the Freestyle, sigh... nothing else really compares.




You can always spot bloggers by their cameras.

I also got to hang out with some of my favorite blogger chicks while we filled up on some of the delicious prepared food you can get at Wegmans (and I was drinking my 60 ounces of Cherry Coke Zero). We even got a cooking demo and recipe from one of the chefs.


That's poetry right there.




If you find yourself at Wegmans, check out the Freestyle machine and have a Coke. (And a smile.) And if you see an over-caffeinated woman petting the machine and carrying a tray of Indian food, feel free to join me. Her. You know.

Thank you, Wegmans and Coca-Cola!


The fine print: I attended the event as the guest of Coca-Cola and Wegmans. I received a gift bag and product samples. I ate yummy Wegmans food and drank 60 ounces of Cherry Coke Zero. All opinions expressed are completely my own.