Wawa Inc. has announced the grand opening of its newest store, located on 1417 South Hanover Street in Pottstown, Pa., the Pottstown Herald reported.

 

In celebration, Wawa is hosting military-inspired festivities that will include a military salute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, and a check presentation for $500 to the U.S. Marine Corp Toys for Tots foundation. The donation is being given on behalf of the son of the general manager of the Pottstown store, who currently serves in the Marine Corps and was recently deployed to Operation Iraqi freedom.

 

Wawa also will host a charitable hoagie building contest between the North Coventry Police Department and the Norco Fire Department. Each team will be challenged to build as many hoagies as they can in the traditional Wawa way in three minutes.  Wawa will contribute $1,000 on behalf of the charity of the winning team’s choice and $500 on behalf of the runner’s up choice.

 

“As a company that understands what it means to be available 24/7, service and dedication are values Wawa holds in the highest regard, so we would like to wholeheartedly thank our Soldiers for their unfaltering commitment to protecting us all,” said Howard Stoeckel, Wawa’s President and CEO.  “We feel honored to support their valiant efforts through this exciting grand opening celebration.

 

On Friday, Dec.18, at 10 a.m., Wawa will officially begin the store’s grand opening ceremony with the salute to the men and women of the armed forces currently serving in Iraq.  The National Anthem will also be performed by the ROTC Color Guard.

 

The Pottstown location features Wawa’s new store design prototype, including 4,600 square feet of retail space and additional gasoline facility, as well as new in-store graphics, colors, restroom design, and merchandising features. 

 

Wawa’s branded gasoline operation includes eight gasoline dispenser sections that can fuel 16 cars at once. Wawa operates more than 560 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.