Big Crowd, Ribbon Cutting Welcomes New Wawa In Warrington

WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Wawa pulled out all the stops on Friday morning to celebrate its return to the busy Route 611 in Warrington Township.

Free t-shirts to the first 100 customers, complementary coffee throughout the day, a ceremonial ribbon cutting and a hoagie building challenge were just a few of the highlights that greeted the new store, which replaces the old store that was torn down earlier this year.

Wawa's mascot, Wally the Goose, joined Wawa officials in officially opening the doors and welcoming the store's first customers inside. Store manager Will Trimarco had the honor of counting down to the 8 a.m. opening

The celebration continued with Wawa's signature Hoagies for Heroes challenge that pitted the volunteers of the Warrington Fire Company No. 1 against the Warrington Township Police Department in a hoagie-building contest.

The Warrington Township Fire Company Team. (Warrington Police Department)

The Warrington Township Police Department team. (Warrington Police Department)

Both agencies put their hoagie-making skills to the test as they raced against the clock to build the most hoagies in three minutes.

When it was all said and done, the police department had claimed victory and won the prestigious Wawa hoagie-building trophy along with bragging rights, but no one left empty-handed. Wawa presented both organizations with a $1,000 donation. The police department will use the gift to support Shop With A Cop. The fire company will use its funds to support its firefighting organization.

"We are incredibly grateful to Wawa for their generous donation," said Warrington Police Chief Daniel J. Friel, who cheered on his hoagie-building champions. "It’s not every day we get to come together in such a fun and positive way, and the support from Wawa allows us to continue our important work for the community. Their donation is a tremendous help, and we thank them for their continued support."

Members of the Warrington Township Police Department celebrate winning the Wawa Hoagies for Heroes Hoagie Making Contest. (Warrington Police Department)

Officials prepare to cut the ribbon on the brand new Warrington Wawa store. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The store capped off its celebration with opening day remarks and a ceremonial ribbon cutting as store leaders joined the store's associates in welcoming the new store.

"This year Wawa is celebrating its 60th anniversary and we are proud to share that the same promise made in 1964 to fulfill lives continues today," said Wawa Director of Operations Jim Magee. "Sixty years after our founding we have more than 1,000 stores, 45,000 associates and we're still focused on that same promise to fulfill lives every day.

"Some people might wonder how a convenience store has a mission of fulfilling lives. For us, the answer is simple," he said. "It's because of our people. It plays out thousands of times in all of our stores across the company. Simple gestures like morning chatter that helps restart a customer's tough morning to a store team throwing a birthday party for a regular customer to the ultimate commitment of a store associate visiting a long-time customer in the hospital to bring them their favorite soup.

"These gestures play out all the time in our stores," said Magee. "Because of these small acts of kindness, I'd like to think of ourselves as a kindness chain rather than a convenience store. Starting today you can count on our associates to brighten your days."

Trimarco joined the lineup of speakers, welcoming "everyone to your brand new store. In the spirit of celebrating our roots, I'm going to take you back to the year it all started - 1964 - with one of Billboard's Top 100 songs. I want you to put your hands together to welcome our management team and our associates who are so excited to open up this store that they're 'Dancing in the Streets.'"

Michael Diorka, the chairman of the Warrington Township Board of Supervisors, brought greetings from the township. "It's been a long time in coming," he said of the new Wawa. "One of our main goals in the township is to support our businesses. We had many, many meetings about getting this just right. Wawa worked very diligently to get it right. They listened to what the township wanted to have as part of the 611 corridor and we're very glad to have them here."

State Rep. Brian Munroe presented the Wawa crew with a flag flown over the state capitol building in Harrisburg and a citation recognizing the grand opening. Munroe also singled out the store's biggest fan - Ryan Gallagher - who lives nearby and who stops by the store nearly every day on his bicycle ride. Gallagher also received a gift basket from the convenience store to thank him for his patronage.

State Rep. Brian Munroe with the store's biggest fan, Ryan Gallagher of Warrington Township. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The new 5,585-square-foot superstore and six-pump fueling station replaces the old 3,200-square-foot convenience store built in 1994 at 550 Easton Road. The old store closed in early February and was torn down to make way for the new superstore and gas station.

In addition to bringing fresh food and menu items, fuel, convenience and services like surcharge-free ATMs and free air pumps, Wawa makes significant long-term investments in the more than 1,000 local communities it serves, including Warrington.

Every new store generates at least 35 new local long-term jobs per store and becomes a committed community partner supporting local causes and raising millions of dollars chainwide through in-store fundraising campaigns that benefit national and local non-profit partners serving in the community. For many, Wawa stores become a community hub and a place where friends and neighbors connect.

“Since our first store opened its doors 60 years ago, it’s been an honor serving our communities with trusted quality products and convenience to most importantly offering comfort and camaraderie to local friends and neighbors,” said Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens. “We pride ourselves on brightening days and as we continue to grow, we promise to continue Fulfilling Lives at every new store and look forward to serving the community for many more years to come!”

Wawa is planning to open 90 new stores over the next decade. Another new Wawa is under construction in Bucks County along the heavily traveled Newtown Bypass in Newtown Township.

Wawa, a family-owned business based in Delaware County, is known for its built-to-order hoagies, freshly- brewed coffee, the “Sizzli” − a hot breakfast sandwich - dinner items including burgers and fries along with soups, sides and snacks, and a full line of hot, iced and frozen specialty beverages. Wawa also carries more than 6,000 items including groceries, tobacco and candy.