Wawa Inc. and Drexel University announced plans for a new store coming soon to Philadelphia as part of the company’s continued investment and expansion in its hometown. The newest Philadelphia store will be located at the intersection of 34th and Market Streets on Drexel’s University City Campus. The site will be leased to Wawa by Drexel and include more than 8,760 square feet featuring all of the latest Wawa design features as well as 20 interior seats and plans for exterior seating. It will also boast all of the latest Wawa food service offers, including custom salads.
“We are excited to announce this new location in Philadelphia as we continue to expand our presence and bring the Wawa experience to more members of the community,” said Brian Schaller, Chief Real Estate Officer. “This site provides optimal space for us to bring the best of our unique offer to the greater Drexel community. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of the fabric of Philadelphia and are excited about bringing Wawa’s unique combination of convenience and fresh foods to the world-class campus of Drexel University.”
Highlights of the store will include Wawa’s signature foods and specialty beverages along with Wawa’s newest offers, including custom salads, artisan sandwiches and milkshakes. Wawa hopes to have the store opened before the start of the new academic year in September. The store will also have delivery and mobile ordering on the Wawa app, new features aimed at expanding Wawa’s reach and convenience beyond the store walls and to help the student community move more quickly through their day.
Drexel’s Vice President for Campus Services, Rita LaRue said, “Drexel is thrilled that Wawa will open a location on our University City Campus. When surveying students, faculty and professional staff, Wawa consistently comes to the top of the list of a most desired retail addition.”
Wawa plans to open 25 stores in the mid-Atlantic region and 25 new stores in the Florida market each year for the next several years, including five new stores under construction in Philadelphia. Each new Wawa store will employ nearly 50 associates, with Wawa’s urban models employing close to 100 associates per store. All of these associate roles are new positions brought to the area through the development of the stores. Associates in these full- and part-time positions will not only receive competitive salaries and health benefits but will have the opportunity to earn stock in Wawa’s employee stock ownership plan. Wawa will also continue its ongoing expansion in the surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia.