Weis Markets opened its relocated store in Leonardtown on Thursday, October 16, 2025, marking the chain’s 52nd location in Maryland. The 43,000-square-foot supermarket at 40845 Merchants Lane hosted a preview event and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and community members. The site, previously occupied by McKay’s and Shoppers supermarkets, underwent renovations to incorporate modern features while retaining its role as a neighborhood grocery hub.
Jonathan Weis, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Weis Markets, addressed the gathering. “We are proud to bring Weis Markets to the Leonardtown community and welcome local families to experience our unwavering commitment to quality, value and convenience,” Weis said. “It’s an honor to continue this location’s longstanding tradition of serving families throughout the area. We’re excited to welcome shoppers back and show them how we’ve transformed this space while preserving its essential role as a neighborhood cornerstone.”
Tom Brill serves as store manager, overseeing more than 125 full- and part-time associates. Many employees transitioned from the prior operation at the site, which traces back to a Food Lion store that closed in 2016 before reopening under different banners. The renovations included updates to aisles, lighting and departments for fresh produce, bakery and deli items.
Shoppers gain access to Weis programs designed to lower costs. The Price Lock initiative fixes prices on seasonal staples like turkeys through December. The Low, Low Price guarantee applies to more than 10,000 items, with weekly Hot Buys specials and the Weis Rewards loyalty program offering points for discounts. Online options through Weis 2 Go allow ordering at WeisMarkets.com for curbside pickup or delivery, with personal shoppers selecting items to ensure quality.
In recognition of community support, Weis Markets donated $1,500 each to the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, YMCA of St. Mary’s County and Hospice of St. Mary’s. An additional $10,000 went to the Maryland Food Bank to aid food insecurity efforts in St. Mary’s County. These contributions form part of Weis Markets’ year-round philanthropy, which includes drives for local hunger relief and nonprofits.
The opening aligns with Weis Markets’ expansion in Maryland, where it operates 51 stores as of early October 2025, up from 44 listed on its site earlier this year. The chain, founded in 1912 in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, by brothers Harry and Sigmund Weis, entered Maryland through acquisitions like former Food Lion sites in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties in 2016. Leonardtown’s location represents the company’s first new build in the state since a Charlotte Hall store debuted in August 2025 as its 51st outlet.
Under Maryland’s retail landscape, supermarkets like Weis adhere to state regulations on pricing transparency and food safety enforced by the Department of Agriculture. The Low, Low Price program complies with fair trade practices, allowing price matching within 10 miles to foster competition. Online fulfillment follows consumer protection laws, ensuring accurate substitutions and refunds for discrepancies.
Leonardtown’s Merchants Lane development, part of a commercial corridor along Route 5, has evolved since the 1990s with additions like banks and restaurants. The Weis site, built in the early 2000s, saw multiple ownership changes: Food Lion operated it until 2016 divestitures to Weis amid Giant Food’s acquisition of nearby stores. Shoppers Food & Pharmacy took over briefly, followed by McKay’s until 2023. Weis acquired the lease in 2024, investing in energy-efficient upgrades like LED fixtures to meet county sustainability goals.
St. Mary’s County’s economic development strategy emphasizes retail growth to balance its 4.5 percent unemployment rate, the fourth lowest in Maryland. Initiatives through the Department of Economic and Community Development promote such openings with incentives like property tax credits for job creation. Weis Markets’ hiring prioritizes local applicants, offering starting wages around $15 per hour plus benefits, contributing to the county’s retail sector that employs about 5,000.
Community events tied to the opening include a family-friendly Monster Mash Bash on Sunday, October 19, from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring activities for children. A formal grand opening parade and additional ribbon-cutting occur Tuesday, October 21. These follow county protocols for public gatherings, coordinated with the Leonardtown Business Association to boost foot traffic.
Weis Markets’ presence strengthens Southern Maryland’s grocery options, where chains compete on freshness and service. The store’s seafood counter sources from Chesapeake Bay suppliers, aligning with regional preferences for local crab and fish. Bakery items incorporate Maryland staples like Smith Island cake variations. Delivery partnerships with services like Instacart expand reach to rural areas around Leonardtown, where public transit limits options.
As St. Mary’s County navigates post-pandemic recovery, retail anchors like this Weis store support small businesses nearby. The county’s comprehensive economic plan targets 2 percent annual growth, with retail playing a role in diversifying beyond aviation testing at Pax River. Donations to groups like the YMCA underscore commitments to wellness, as the organization serves 3,000 youth annually in after-school programs.
Hours at the new Leonardtown store run 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with pharmacy services from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Shoppers can download the Weis Rewards app for digital coupons, integrating with EBT and SNAP benefits under state guidelines