On July 31, Wawa, a popular convenience store and gas station chain, held a grand opening ceremony for its newest store, located at 91 Lower Silver Lake Road, in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The event brought together Wawa associates, customers, and community leaders to celebrate.
The store’s general manager arrived bright and early in the morning to lead the countdown to the official opening.
Shortly after opening, the Wawa team held a ribbon cutting ceremony and a Hoagies for Heroes competition that featured many of Newtown’s first responders.
Wawa’s mascot, Wally the Goose, was also on site to partake in the festivities. To celebrate, this location will be offering free, fresh coffee to everyone through August 3.
The 5500-square-foot Wawa superstore and gas station first broke ground in 2024 and is the chain’s first and only location in Newtown with its closest other locations being in Yardley Borough and Richboro.
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A long, unique history
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The developers worked with local authorities to come to an agreement to install solar panels on the store’s canopy to help power the facility and make it more energy-efficient.
The solar panels were specifically requested by Newtown Township Supervisor, Elen Snyder, who, before supporting the project, asked the developer, Provco Pinegood LLC, to include the solar panels in the design.
Wawa is a popular morning stop where commuters can pick up a fresh cup of coffee, a hot breakfast sandwich or a full breakfast as well as something for lunch. On the way home, commuters can stop and pick up dinner including burgers, fries, pizza, soups, sides and snacks while filling up the gas tank.
Also available at the store is a full line up of hot and cold beverages and over 6,000 other items including groceries, tobacco and a number of items to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Wawa President Brian Schaller, who spoke at and hosted the event, said the company has a history spanning over 200 years and has undergone significant evolution over time.
“A lot of folks don’t know we have gone through four businesses,” the Schaller said.
“From an iron foundry to a textile mill to a dairy, and over the last 60 years these stores that you see here today,” he said.
The first Wawa store opened on April 16, 1964, in Folsom, PA.
The store was launched by Grahame Wood, grandson of George Wood, as a way to transition from their home milk-delivery business into retail food sales. It initially sold the family’s dairy products, along with deli items, groceries, and takeaway meals.
Wawa had 956 stores in seven states by 2022, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington DC. The total number of stores stood at 1137 as of July 31, 2025 and the brand has expanded its presence into four more states, including Ohio, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina since 2022.
In late February 2023, Wawa named former senior vice president Brian Schaller as its new company president, taking on the role that was held by CEO Chris Gheysens for the past decade. Gheysens remains CEO. This split of role is intended to Wawa’s future growth plans, particularly as they expand into new states.
