You are walking through the sliding glass doors at the Johnson City Wegmans, grab a cart, and realize you need a bottle of bourbon or a decent Cabernet for dinner. You look toward the pharmacy side, see a massive sign for "Johnson City Liquor & Wine" attached to the same building, and think, Oh, cool, Wegmans has a liquor store here.
Well, yes and no. Mostly no.
It is one of those weird New York quirks that drives out-of-state visitors absolutely crazy. If you are from Pennsylvania, you are used to state stores. If you are from Virginia, you see wine in every grocery aisle. But in Johnson City, the relationship between that liquor store and the massive grocery titan next door is... complicated. Honestly, it’s a legal tightrope act that involves family trees, state investigators, and some very specific shopping tips you need to know before you pull into the lot at 650 Harry L. Drive.
The Big Confusion: Is It Actually Wegmans?
Here is the deal. According to New York State law, a grocery store cannot sell liquor or wine. They can sell beer, cider, and those weird "wine products" (which are basically sugar-water with a tiny bit of wine and low alcohol), but the hard stuff is off-limits. To get around this, "affiliated" stores often pop up next to supermarkets.
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In Johnson City, the store is officially Johnson City Liquor & Wine.
For years, people have just called it "The Wegmans Liquor Store." Even though it sits in the same plaza—literally sharing a wall with the pharmacy—it is legally an independent business. The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) is notoriously aggressive about this. Back in 2018, Wegmans actually got hit with a massive $750,000 fine because the state argued they were exercising too much "significant control" over five of these affiliated stores, including the one in Johnson City.
The state’s beef was basically that Wegmans was acting like a chain, which is a big "no-no" for liquor in New York. The owner of the Johnson City shop, Jason Wehle, is actually the son-in-law of Danny Wegman. So, while it’s run by family and shares the vibe, it’s not technically "Wegmans" on your credit card statement. You’ve probably noticed the staff wears different shirts, too.
What You Can (and Can't) Actually Buy There
If you are looking for a quick pick-up, this place is massive—nearly 10,000 square feet of sales floor. It’s one of the biggest in the Triple Cities.
The Wine Selection
They lean heavily into the "Wegmans style" of curation. You’ll see a ton of French imports, especially from Bordeaux and Burgundy. Because of the family connection, they carry a lot of the same "Wegmans Brand" wines you might see in their out-of-state stores, like the Cole Cellars labels or the Parini Prosecco.
- Finger Lakes Love: They actually have a respectable New York section. You'll find Dr. Konstantin Frank and Hermann J. Wiemer consistently stocked.
- The High-End Room: If you want to spend $400 on a bottle of Opus One, they have a climate-controlled section. It’s a bit overkill for a Tuesday night in Broome County, but it’s there.
The Spirits Side
This is where they beat the smaller shops in Endicott or Vestal on sheer volume. Their bourbon aisle is deep, though don't expect to find a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle just sitting on the shelf—those usually go to "preferred" customers or via lottery.
One thing that’s kinda cool: they usually have a "Value" section near the front with handles of vodka and rum that are cheaper than the nearby competitors. Just keep in mind, you cannot buy your tonic water or limes here. New York liquor stores are strictly prohibited from selling "non-alcoholic" mixers that aren't specifically branded as a "wine product" or bitters. You have to walk 50 feet next door to the actual Wegmans for your lemons.
Hours and Logistics: Don't Get Caught at 8 PM on a Sunday
The hours at Johnson City Liquor & Wine do not match the grocery store. Wegmans is usually open until midnight (or 24 hours depending on the current post-pandemic schedule), but the liquor store has to play by New York's restrictive "Blue Laws."
Generally, the hours look like this:
- Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (sometimes opening as late as noon depending on staffing).
If you’re planning a Sunday dinner, do not wait until 7:00 PM to grab the wine. The doors will be locked, even though the grocery store next door is buzzing with people.
The Shoppers Club Card Hack
Here is a detail most people miss. Even though they aren't "the same store," Johnson City Liquor & Wine does honor the Wegmans Shoppers Club card for certain discounts.
You’ll see yellow tags on the wine shelves. If you scan your Wegmans app or card at the liquor store register, it often knocks $2 or $3 off those specific "Family Selected" bottles. It’s basically the only liquor store in the area where you can use a grocery loyalty card to save money. Honestly, it’s one of the best reasons to shop here instead of a smaller mom-and-pop shop if you’re looking for a bargain on everyday table wine.
Is It Better Than Local Competitors?
The Binghamton area has some legendary spots. You’ve got Liquor Town in Vestal and Parkway Wine & Spirits. If you want a "neighborhood" feel where the owner knows your name, those are probably better.
But the Wegmans-adjacent store has two things they don't: Parking and Scale. The Harry L. Drive lot is a nightmare at 5:00 PM on a Friday, sure. But being able to park once, grab your steaks and organic kale, and then walk three doors down for a bottle of Gin is a massive convenience. Just remember that you cannot bring your grocery cart into the liquor store. You’ll have to leave your groceries in the car or use the "cart corral" by the entrance. Security is surprisingly tight there; they will stop you if you try to wheel a cart full of un-bagged groceries into the wine aisles.
Insider Tips for Shopping Johnson City Liquor & Wine
- Check the "Hot Zone": There is usually a rack near the front-left of the store with "Manager's Specials." These are often close-outs or overstocked items. You can find some weird, high-quality Italian reds for under $10 if you catch it at the right time.
- The Box Wine Wall: If you’re hosting a party, their selection of 3-liter boxes (like Bota Box or Black Box) is usually the best priced in the county.
- Case Discounts: Like most NY stores, they usually offer a 10% to 15% discount if you buy a full case (12 bottles) of wine. They’ll even let you mix and match, which is great for stocking up before the holidays.
- Download the App: Use the Wegmans app to check if a specific wine is in stock before you drive over. Since the inventory systems are semi-linked, the app is surprisingly accurate for the Johnson City location.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re heading there this weekend, do these three things to save time:
- Check your Shoppers Club Card: Ensure your Wegmans app is logged in. The "exclusive" pricing at the liquor store only works if they can scan your barcode.
- Separate your lists: Remember that beer is in the grocery store (Aisle 1/2 usually), but wine and spirits are in the separate building. Don't spend 20 minutes looking for Pinot Grigio next to the Bud Light.
- Validate the "New York" section: If you want a local gift, look for the "Pride of New York" labels. The Johnson City location has a dedicated end-cap for regional spirits like Finger Lakes gins and local vodkas that make great gifts for out-of-towners.