Wawa to Come Back From Sandy With New Design

Ocean City residents and visitors trekking to 34th Street to get their daily Wawa fix can expect the reopening of the store on the 1200 block of West Avenue by the end of February.

The Wawa there has been closed after receiving substantial flood damage during Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 29, 2012.

While most other Ocean City businesses have repaired damage and reopened since the storm, Wawa is taking the opportunity to redesign seven stores on the Jersey Shore that were closed due to Hurricane Sandy’s impact.

“A cross-functional team at Wawa has been working to get the Hurricane Sandy-impacted stores up and running as soon as possible,” said Sal Mattera, vice president of store operations, in a news release. “From ordering new equipment to sourcing local contractors to obtaining the necessary permits to make the renovations happen, our team has been focused on getting the remodels started and our stores reopened.”

Most of the impacted stores will receive new features and designs incorporated into their renovations, according to Wawa spokesowman Lori Bruce. The upgraded features include:

• New food service layout and food service innovations including built-to-order milk shakes and in-store ovens to bake rolls
• Interior components brought up to new brand standards — including new tile throughout food service and beverage area
• Newly designed Express Cases
• All cabinetry and refrigeration cases upgraded and replaced

 “We are doing everything we can to speed this process up and give our customers back their Wawa,” said Mattera. “We know our customers count on us and we are so grateful for the patience they’ve shown this far. We wanted to ensure that we were able to take the time to enhance our customers’ experience at these stores.” 

A 10-day promotion is planned for each store that reopens. These promotions include:

• Free Coffee – Any Size
• $2.99 Shorti – Any Variety
• $.89 Fountain Drink – Any Size

In addition, Wawa will further its ongoing commitment to aiding in the local relief effort by making a $1,000 donation per store to the Feeding America Food Bank located in each specific community. 

PROJECTED REOPENING DATES

Store #728, Ocean City

Under construction
Estimated opening:  Feb. 28

Store #432, Avalon, NJ
Under construction
Estimated opening: March 7

Store #950, Margate, NJ
Under construction
Estimated opening: March 14

 Store 977, Long Beach, NJ
Under Construction
Estimated opening: Early March 

Store 700, Ship Bottom, NJ
Under Construction
Estimated opening:  Mid-March

Store 781, Sayerville, NJ
Permitting In Progress
Construction to begin by 1/25
Estimated opening:  Mid to Late March

*All dates subject to change.  For the most up-to-date status of these stores visit wawa.com