Wawa eyes Dickson for new Middle TN store at prominent I-40 site
Wawa isn’t your typical gas and convenience store. And, Dickson is poised to find out in the next few years.
Plans were presented Tuesday for a new Wawa at a prominent location in the city on Highway 46 where a hotel and restaurant has existed for over 50 years. The site plan and design were approved by the Dickson Planning Commission.
"I think it's a vast improvement to the site,” said Planning Commissioner Kyle Sanders about the property, which is currently a Quality Inn.
Wawa is a gas and convenience market named after the Philadelphia-area town where it originated. The franchise enjoys a following similar to Bucc-ee’s.
Representatives from Hutton, the Chattanooga-based developer of Wawa stores, and engineering firm Kimley-Horn, presented the plans.
The Wawa location in Dickson is not yet finalized. More approvals will be required by city officials going forward and the property ownership is still listed as Georgia-based MEGA, Inc. in state records.
What is WaWa? More than gas, snacks and fan tattoos
Wawa is more than a traditional gas station and quick snacks in that it serves up popular East Coast-style hoagies. If you’re wondering if people have been married at Wawa’s or had Wawa ink on their body – they have.
The Hutton representatives said the Dickson location won't be the first in Tennessee. A preliminary proposal for a Bellevue location was presented earlier this month. The two sites could be among the earliest Wawa locations as part of plans to open several Tennessee storefronts in the next several years. According to the expansion announcement, originally released in June last year, Wawa plans to open up to 40 store locations in the Nashville area.
The first Tennessee Wawa stores are not targeted for opening until 2025.
Community feedback on the issue
Nashville’s District 35 Metro Council Member Dave Rosenberg let his constituents know about the proposal with a Facebook post on April 8. Rosenberg asked for feedback on the plan and hundreds responded.
The Dickson Wawa would open at the site of the current Quality Inn hotel, which has also been home to various restaurants over the years. Currently, Koto Asian Cuisine is located at the hotel, which is located near Interstate 40 at the 172 exit.
Wawa officials wouldn’t specifically comment on the Dickson location. Lori Bruce, public relations manager, stated that Wawa looks forward to “serving new communities with our quality fresh food and beverages and, as always, our deep commitment to the communities in which we operate.”
“As a privately held, family and associate-owned company, we are most excited to share our unique culture and store experience, which has resulted in family-like bonds with our associates, our customers and our communities,” Bruce added.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wawa eyes Dickson for new Middle TN store at prominent I-40 site
