Wawa proposed for south Georgia site. What we know
The long-awaited establishment of Wawa in Georgia appears to be imminent.
The popular convenience store chain has a location selected in Bainbridge, in southwest Georgia, and submitted proposals to the planning commission earlier this year.
According to the tax assessor's office, a permit was granted in February for "landload site work for proposed Wawa gas station" at 1401 Tallahassee Highway. Google Maps imagery shows land clearing and prep work for new construction as of May 2023.
A proposed plan submitted in February to the city of Bainbridge indicated that construction was slated to be complete by fall 2023, however the Bainbridge location is not yet listed on Wawa's website as a "coming soon."
"We can’t confirm specific locations or timelines at this time," Wawa public relations manager Lori Bruce said in an email. "We can, however, say that we are actively looking into and planning for potential sites for new Wawa stores in Georgia markets."
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Wawa did not specify how many Georgia stores it is considering. There is a proposal for a Wawa in Pooler, near Savannah, as well.
Wawa, which was founded in Pennsylvania and has more than 1,000 locations nationwide, is largely known for its food items, specifically hoagies.
According to a 2022 press release, the plan was to open the first Wawa store in Georgia in 2024 with a potential of up to 20 additional stores entering the state depending on the success of the first store.
“Our continued expansion plans will allow us to reach more customers with our quality fresh food, beverages and community support friends and neighbors,” said John Poplawski, Vice President of Real Estate for Wawa, at the time. “Expanding to Georgia is a natural extension from the Florida Panhandle and we look forward to serving more communities along the East Coast.”
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Wawa gas station in the works in Bainbridge, Georgia
