Wawa gas station, convenience stores now open in North Port and Port Charlotte

NORTH PORT — More hoagies are coming to North Port with the grand opening of a new Wawa convenience store on Thursday.

The well-known and long-anticipated gas station and convenience store brand opened to south Sarasota County customers at 1055 Sun Market Place in North Port at one of the city's busiest intersections near Toledo Blade and Price boulevards. Wawa's North Port grand opening celebration included free coffee, gift cards, and other exclusive free giveaways this week.

However, the food wasn't the only thing Wawa customers were able to take advantage of on its grand opening day — the newest store's fuel prices tracked 20 cents less than the nearest competitor at $3.39 per gallon this week.

Wawa has steadily increased its footprint around the region this year, adding its second part fuel station-part sandwich shop in Sarasota on Fruitville Road in February.

The Pennsylvaina-based gas station and convenience store has built a cult-like following of loyal customers who frequent the store for its variety of items including hoagies and sandwiches, salads, baked goods, smoothies, and creamy milkshakes.

Since its arrival in the Sunshine State in 2012, Wawa has proliferated across Florida as a one-stop shop for customers looking to fuel up and indulge in items created fresh via the store's fast-food-like order kiosks in each location.

Another Wawa opened on Thursday in Port Charlotte, at 14560 Chancellor Blvd. Both new locations are open 24 hours and offer online ordering and pick up at each location.

In case you missed it: Fruitville Road Wawa convenience store opens

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: North Port's long awaited Wawa store now open for business