WEBSTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Hegedorn’s Market, located on Ridge Road in Webster, is set to close its doors in June.
A representative for Hegedorn’s confirmed the news to News 8 on Sunday.
Originally a dairy farm in 1936 opened by his father, according to Hegedorn’s website, Bruce and Mary Hegedorn transformed the space into a 2,000 square foot market in 1953. From 1968 to now, the store stands at 45,000 square feet.
The family-owned grocery store in Webster announced it’ll be closing its doors this summer. After nearly 100 years of service, the business has meant a lot to so many in the community and will be missed.
When speaking with locals around town, showed Hegedorn’s impact on people from multiple generations because no matter how old they were, everyone has memories of shopping in the historic family grocery store and benefiting from their services.
In the 53 years, Whitey Proietti has been in business operating Proietti’s Italian Restaurant, Hegedorn’s has always been across the street as a quick and easy option to buy products for his menu.
“I think it’s really affecting everyone,” Proietti said. “It’s a store I’m in probably five times a week, we buy products from them like in their meat department. Plus, there’s an ease of shopping there compared to going through a crazy crowded Wegmans.”
Being a family businessperson himself, Proietti knows Hegedorn’s values their customers and calls them a key staple in the community.
“When we need something in a hurry we can run over and get it,” Proietti continued. “Whether it be some produce, some ground beef or eggs. They’re going to be sadly missed. Every person I run into has said can you believe Hegedorn’s is closing.”
The Farsace family has lived in Webster since 1967 and always shopped at Hegedorn’s, watching it grow over the years.
“They have the best bakery,” Greg Farce expressed. “Everyone I know always talks about Hegedorn’s Bakery with a fantastic bread style. I can’t believe they’re going to be closing.”
Others recalled how the staff would personally assist customers in getting groceries out to their cars and show appreciation for their customers.
“When the Covid pandemic started they were doing home delivery,” Swati Vyas told us. “So, before the stock shortage and all that, we would get our groceries from Hegdorn’s.”
There’s no set date yet on when Hegedorn’s will close its doors for good or why this is happening. We reached out to the owners for comment but have not heard back.