Wawa coming to Okaloosa, Walton? Convenience store with cult following opening NWFL locations
Wawa — a convenience store and gas station chain that's amassed a cult following in the Northeast — is looking for sites to expand into the Northwest Florida market.
Originally from the Northeast with stores concentrated largely in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., the move to Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama is part of a big planned expansion coming in the next two years.
In a press release issued this week, the company said it plans to open up to 40 stores between Tallahassee and Mobile, Alabama, with the first stores expected to open in 2024.
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"We can’t confirm specific locations or time frames for construction at this stage, but we are actively looking at potential sites in these markets, including Okaloosa and Walton counties," said Lori Bruce, Wawa's public relations manager.
This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of Wawa's first Florida store, which opened July 18, 2012, in Orlando across from SeaWorld. Since then, Wawa has expanded rapidly throughout the state and will open its 250th store in Florida later this year.
“Over the years, we’ve been delighted to hear from so many people from so many areas who are interested in having a Wawa closer to home. We couldn’t be more excited to bring Wawa’s one-of-a-kind brand and offering to these new markets in the near future,” John Poplawski, vice president of real estate for Wawa, said in a news release.
“We look forward to expanding beyond our current reach and serving these new markets with our quality fresh food and beverages and, as always, our deep commitment to the communities in which we operate.”
Wawa employs almost 10,000 associates in the Sunshine State.
Wawa continues to open stores throughout its current markets and is set to open 54 new stores in 2022. Wawa also plans to enter new, adjacent markets in the next few years.
For information on stores under construction or upcoming grand openings, visit www.wawa.com.
Wawa Inc., a privately held company that began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, Pennsylvania, in 1902.
The milk business was a huge success due to its quality, cleanliness and “certified” process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, George’s grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products.
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Wawa locations offer freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs.
The stores offer a large fresh food selection, including Wawa brands such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks.
Forbes.com ranked Wawa at No. 29 of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2021 and No. 12 on Forbes 100 Halo List of brands customers love in 2022.
Emma Kennedy with the Pensacola News Journal contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Wawa convenience store chain opening Northwest Florida stores by 2024
