WILMINGTON, DE - Wegmans is reportedly entering a new market with a new lease in The First State. According to local news reports, the Rochester, New York-based retailer has entered into a contract to build its first store in the Northeastern state of Delaware.

According to local radio station WDEL 101.7, Wegmans has signed a lease with Pettinaro Development to anchor a new mixed-use development at the intersection of Lancaster Pike and Barley Mill Road. The site, a former DuPont complex, will, upon completion, house two office buildings, 80 apartments, 33 townhouses, additional retail space, and 11 acres of green space.

Plans were announced at a community redevelopment meeting at A.I. DuPont High School Tuesday, February 19, 2019, and meeting-goers were reportedly ecstatic.

Local reporter Joe Irazarry tweeted: “the applause from the crowd might be the biggest positive reaction I have ever heard at a public meeting about a redevelopment plan in Delaware. I've been to a FEW of these meetings up and down the state over the years.”

Redevelopment plans are still pending the approval of the New Castle County Council. If granted, Wegmans could open as early as spring of 2022.

Pettinaro Development CEO Greg Pettinaro estimated that the new store could generate as many as 1,300 jobs.

"Wegmans is set up to hire about 400 people, so we think the overall permanent jobs or full and part-time jobs will be somewhere between 400 and 1,300 when it's all said and done," Pettinaro told WDEL. "We'll probably have between 400 and 500 construction jobs for about a three or four year period."

For more as the project develops, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

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