Wegmans Food Stores is negotiating a lease at a site in Cary, N.C. that would represent the retailer's first store in the Carolinas, reports said Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for the Rochester, N.Y.-based chain confirmed Wegmans had signed a letter of intent with developer Columbia Development for a tract of land adjacent to the Cary Towne Center mall, according to the News & Observer. She said the company anticipated reaching a lease agreement "sometime during the first quarter of 2016."

Industry sources had anticipated Wegmans would eventually reach the Carolinas after expanding South from its Rochester, N.Y. base in recent years. Its arrival in Cary could create one of the most competitive food retailing markets in the country, with outlets of both Kroger's Harris Teeter brand and Publix Super Markets already in the area. Cary is located in the affluent and fast-growing Raleigh market.
According to the report, developers submitted plans to Cary town officials earlier this month. The project which developers said would include retail, restaurants and a hotel, would require town approvals including rezoning.