Wawa Looking To Build Store, Gas Station On Rt. 23 In Wayne

WAYNE, NJ — A Wawa convenience store and gas station could be coming to Route 23 North on the former Nagel's Candy Barn site.

The 5.8-acre site is at the intersection of Cedar Lane and Route 23 North, next to the Packanack Shopping Center. Nagel's Candy Barn was there until it closed four years ago.

Mayor Chris Vergano said Wawa has been looking to have a store in Wayne "for many years."

"We will review the application when it comes before the Planning Board, and as always, there will be a public hearing when residents can voice their concerns about the project," Vergano said.

Some residents who live near the site received a letter and engineering plans in the mail earlier this month. The letter, from Stonefield Engineering and Design, states that a transition area waiver application for 1512 Route 23 was submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

A transition area waiver is needed from the DEP in order for the project to move forward. The DEP issues these waivers for land-use applications that are adjacent to wetlands. A number of houses are located near the property.

The transition waiver application calls for one- and two-story buildings and a swimming pool on the site to be demolished.

Engineering plans show that a Wawa store would go on the site. The gas station would have eight fuel pumps, three underground fuel tanks, and on-site lighting, the letter states.

A copy of the transition area waiver application could not be obtained.

Caryn Shinske, a DEP spokesperson, said the department received a transition area waiver application June 10. She could not release the application because the agency has not received an application fee and the application is not "administratively complete."

Shinske said the DEP has not reviewed the application because it is not complete.

The township Building Department has not received Wawa's application for the site.

Wawa spokesperson Jennifer Wolf would not provide details about the application or Wawa's plan for the site. She said it would be "premature" to provide confirmation or details about a project that is not under construction or still moving through the development process.

There are more than 640 Wawa convenience stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida. In New Jersey, Wawas are located mostly in South and Central Jersey. All stores are company-owned and are open 24 hours a day. The stores feature a large selection of coffee and built-to-order sub sandwiches.

Wayne already has three QuickChek convenience stores in town, including one located less than 1 mile away on Route 23 North. That store has a gas station and is open 24 hours a day.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com