Wawa closes store No. 1
One for the road: Chain finds larger location just blocks away
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP >> For Dorothy Harkins and Maryann Jankauskas, the Wawa in Folsom was so convenient to their home they could walk there. One day Harkins drove to the Wawa and forgot she drove and walked home.
Jankauskas had the day off from her waitressing job at Penrose Diner and was happy that they were invited to Thursday’s preview of the relocated Wawa on Route 420. But the two women had mixed feelings.
“I was at the 50th celebration of the Wawa in Folsom and it was great. I am sad it’s closing but there will be more jobs for people,” said Jankauskas.
William Wasson and Tiki can be found often outside Wawa. Tiki hangs outside while Wasson gets coffee. Today Tiki was sampling the cheesesteak and has been known to drink a little Wawa coffee.
“I hate to see the other one close but its progress,”
said Wasson of Briarcliffe. The first Wawa store
opened April 16, 1964, by Wawa founder Grahame Wood. For over 50 years the store has been a mainstay in the community. On Thursday, Wawa opened the doors at the relocated store at Kedron Avenue and MacDade Boulevard to community and Ridley officials. Today is the official opening of the store; the Folsom store also shuts down this morning.
Wawa mascots Wally the Goose and Shorti were on hand to greet long time customers along with Wawa associates and CEO and President Chris Gheysens, Chairman of the Board Dick Wood and CFO and Chief People Officer Cathy Pulos.
Dick Wood talked of the changes that have come to past since Grahame Wood opened the first Wawa store. The first day of sales brought in $359.86.
“At first it was a convenience store that sold groceries and was opened from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Now we are open 24 hours a day and we have gas pumps,” said Wood.
“Throughout history times change and we as a company try to change with them … This store is the best that Wawa has to offer right now and its unique by a couple of historical things we have done. Mounted on the wall is a plaque of Grahame Wood and a history timeline of the original days when the dairy business opened up to the opening of store Number One,” said Wood.
According Cathy Pulos. the new location cost $6 million — a big investment in the Ridley community they consider family.
Mike McCrea, vice president of the Ridley Board of Commissioners, was pleased with the relocated Wawa.
“It’s awesome. It’s great to see it come to fruition. It took three to four years in the planning,” said McCrea
The Wawa Foundation donated $5,000 to Senior Schoolhouse Center in Folsom to Arthur Weisfeld, executive director of Senior Community Services. Weisfeld showed off one of the visors sold in the early 1980s when Wawa and the agency collaborated with fundraising for the “Juniors for Seniors” campaign.
The relocated store has French clay tile, bringing warmth to the kitchen area; aqua glass tile, giving the cold box area a feeling of fluency; and new wood paneling, bringing warmth and a feeling of freshness and quality to the kitchen area. There are more digital screens showing off food products, a community board where people can post photos and videos, a selfie station sits outside with the original iconic pole sign from 1964.
All 450 Wawa stores built before 2010 will be remodeled. The Glenolden Wawa has been remodeled and the Collingdale Wawa is in the process of being remodeled now.
“The building is the less important thing. It’s an opportunity for us to play a small meaning part in your life, finding a moment to express eye contact, a genuine hello and an honest goodbye. It’s about people our business has been always about people,” said Gheysens.