Pandemic May Have Ended Wegmans Buffet Bars

NATICK, MA — The resplendent buffet bars at Wegmans stores in Massachusetts may never come back.

The Rochester, N.Y.,-based grocer, which has two local locations in Natick and Northborough, told WCVB this week that it will focus on prepackaged to-go food. The state shut down self-serve options at restaurants and stores in March 2020, a time when health officials knew less about how coronavirus was spreading.

"Prior to the pandemic, we had a number of self-serve bars in our stores that were very popular with our customers," a statement sent to WCVB said. "When those were no longer an option, our restaurant foods team had to rethink how to offer the same delicious food in a different way, so we began putting a larger focus on prepackaged meals."

More than a year after the pandemic began, no restaurant can offer buffet or self-serve food stations, according to the latest state guidelines released at the end of March.

Restaurants and stores have been allowed to reopen self-serve beverage stations under strict guidelines.