Wawa sets opening date for Route 46 store as it continues Morris County expansion

William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
·2 min read
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Mountain Lakes doesn't have much in the way of restaurants or fast food. But come next week, the small suburban Morris County borough will have its own Wawa.

The rapidly growing chain of convenience stores and gas stations, known for its coffee, turkey hoagies and expansive food menu, is currently "tracking" to open its fourth location in the county on Dec. 1, according to company spokesperson Jennifer Wolf.

Those plans are not firm, but Wawa hopes for an 8:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting at the Route 46 east site, Wolf said Monday.

Mountain Lakes Wawa replaces Zeris Inn

The Wawa, Pennsylvania-based chain is replacing a longtime family business, the Zeris Inn banquet hall, along the borough's small highway commercial corridor.

Final approval for the Wawa was obtained from the borough planning board in 2021 after seven public hearings, but additional plans to build a hotel on the 4.3-acre tract were put on hold, officials said.

Construction is nearly complete for the newest Wawa store location, expected to open Dec. 1 on Route 46 in Mountain Lakes.
Construction is nearly complete for the newest Wawa store location, expected to open Dec. 1 on Route 46 in Mountain Lakes.

As he watched the banquet hall being demolished in May 2022, Andy Zeris said he was proud of the establishment he ran with his four sons for almost 50 years.

"I have so many happy memories," he said of a business he started with his brothers in 1972. "But I miss the people. They used to come from all over, up and down the highway, from the [Delaware] River to the city."

By the time it closed two years ago, the Zeris Inn had hosted more than 6,000 weddings along with countless fundraisers and charity events.

Dining options: These are the best things to eat and drink at Wawa, QuickChek and 7-Eleven

Borough officials later joined the county Board of Commissioners and Sheriff James Gannon to honor the family.

"I have nothing but nice things to say about Mountain Lakes," Zeris said. "They always treated us well. They were tough, but fair."

QuickChek, 7-Eleven vie for Morris County

With more than 950 stores in seven states, according to its website, Wawa has a cult following among its many fans. But with only three locations in Morris County, it faces heavy competition from 7-Eleven and QuickChek. The latter now has 17 stores in Morris.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com 

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Wawa sets opening date for its latest store in Morris County NJ