The 74,000-square-foot store is chain's 101th outlet

NEW YORK — Wegmans made its New York City debut on Sunday with the opening of a 74,000-square-foot store in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard.

The store, the chain’s 101st, drew a crowd that included self-identified “Wegmaniacs” from the retailer’s hometown of Rochester, N.Y., as well as Brooklynites eager to find out what the fuss was about. What they found was an extensive selection of prepared foods — including everything from sushi to pizza to Buffalo wings — and staffed counters offering meats, cheeses, baked goods and deli items. The store has a cookie station, a coffee station, a salad bar, a sushi bar and a burger bar where shoppers who don’t care for beef patties can order lobster rolls, crab cakes or chicken sandwiches instead.

There is also a mezzanine-level Market Café seating area with space for nearly 100. It includes a bar serving wine, beer, cocktails, and snacks.

The store employs 540 people, including a culinary staff of 157 led by executive chef Stephen De Lucia. Accessible by ferry, subway or bus, as well as by car, the Brooklyn Wegmans store is open daily from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.