W
Adds To Its Lineup
of Kids Programming
egmans is hoping to make
that trip to the grocery
store easier for parents
with kids, hosting a variety of classes at all
WNY stores. The longstanding Cooking
with Kids program can get your youngest
shoppers excited about going to the gro-
cery store, and can help to get them think-
ing about creating healthy eating habits.
Now, Wegmans stores in the Buffalo
area are adding to the lineup of children’s
programming. Stores are offering ac-
tivities such as story time, yoga for kids,
movie nights, and even Paint Night, by
Pinot’s Palette.
Paint Night at Wegmans is an in-
structor-led painting class, where kids re-
ceive a blank canvas, paint and brushes,
and most importantly — smocks! Pat Ob-
starczyk owns Pinot’s Palette in Amherst,
and brings the classes to area Wegmans
stores. She says the classes are best suited
for children ages 6 and up. Pinot’s Palette
has a painting library, and the subject of
the painting is usually tied to the current
season.
“We want to provide an environment
where families can enjoy quality food and
great family friendly events,” says Mag-
gie Fasano, Family Experience Coordi-
nator for Wegmans, Buffalo. She wants
to make Wegmans more than just a place
for families to get groceries. “Whether its
Bollywood dancing, craft time, or break-
fast with Santa, we want kids to get ex-
cited about coming to Wegmans; creating
a destination place is important to us.”
Mari Irwin, founder of Soul Candy
Project, brings her Mobile Yoga Studio to
a few different Wegmans stores for kids
classes. “Helping kids create a healthy re-
lationship with themselves and others is
so important,” says Irwin, who not only
teaches the children yoga, but mindful-
ness as well.
The Wegmans store on Amherst
Street in Buffalo, through a special part-
nership with Buffalo State College, hosts
The Global Book Hour during the school
year. Global Book Hour integrates geog-
raphy, vocabulary, music, visual arts, and
healthy eating into a one-hour session.
Each week focuses on a different part
of the world, and all activities center on
“travel” to that location.
Movie Nights at Wegmans stores
have always been popular, as families
gather in the café to eat and relax after a
busy week. Most movie nights are held on
the weekend, and they’re the perfect way
to wind down with the kids. Kids can even
pretend they’re the chef in the café, with
play kitchens and aprons.
During the month of December, We-
gmans stores are hosting Gingerbread
House Classes, where kids receive a
kit, assemble and decorate a gingerbread
house. All classes require pre-registration
at the service desk at each store.
Parents tend to get a bit competitive
when it comes to decorating gingerbread
houses, so select Wegmans locations are
hosting classes — just for adults! The Pub
by Wegmans, is hosting those classes in
the evening, combining a great nibbling
menu, complete with holiday drinks.
Wegmans is also hosting a special
Breakfast with Santa during the month
of December, providing the perfect oppor-
tunity for those Santa photos.
Even if you’re just thinking about
shopping, Wegmans wants to be the most
fun place to shop for families with kids.
Did you know that kids can do a scaven-
ger hunt through the store any time they
want? Just grab a map in the vestibule on
your way in and start hunting! Kids love
riding in the tractor carts that really put
them in the driver’s seat. Don’t forget to
stop by the service desk for a balloon on
your way out.
“We want our customers to enjoy
coming to the store, and creating a place
that appeals to young children is impor-
tant for all of our family shoppers,” says
Fasano. “Feeling comfortable is essential
to customer satisfaction.”
Each Wegmans location hosts family
events at different time and dates. Check
your local Wegmans for a complete list of
monthly programming.
December 2018 WNY Family 49