Grocery chains across the U.S. are still chasing growth in Sun Belt markets where population gains are reshaping where stores open next. In North Carolina, that trend is playing out with Wegmans, which has confirmed another store in Charlotte and is still advancing a separate project in Holly Springs.
Wegmans confirms Charlotte opening and keeps Holly Springs plans active
Wegmans announced that its first Charlotte-area store will open on October 14, 2026, in Ballantyne, according to the company announcement cited by NewsBreak. The supermarket will span 110,000 square feet and is expected to employ about 450 workers. When it opens, it will become Wegmans’ fifth North Carolina location.
The Charlotte store is planned to include prepared foods, sushi, bakery, seafood, and produce departments, according to the company. NewsBreak also reported that the location will feature Wegmans’ first outdoor seating and play area concept. Construction on the Ballantyne site began in 2024 through a partnership with Northwood Investors LLC.
Wegmans is also still moving forward with a Holly Springs store near NC Highway 55 and Ralph Stephens Road. Town documents cited by NewsBreak show the project received another extension in July 2025. Wegmans now anticipates groundbreaking sometime in mid-to-late 2026, but no opening date has been publicly confirmed.
What this means in North Carolina, and what is still not known
Wegmans currently operates four stores in North Carolina: Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, and West Cary. The company entered the state in 2019 with its Raleigh store, which also marked Wegmans’ 100th store overall, according to the source material. The Charlotte opening would extend the chain into one of the state’s largest metro areas…