Where Do You Want Your Wawa?

More Wawas could be coming to the Bradenton/Sarasota area next year. So Patch wants to know from readers, where they would like to see a Wawa? 

According to Dave McDonald, regional real estate manager for Wawa convenience stores, the company is actively looking for potential properties in Manatee and Sarasota counties in addition to the one approved by Bradenton City Council in June.

Phone calls to the corporate office from Patch went unanswered. 

The Bradenton City Council unanimously passed a request by Belleair Development Group for a special use permit to build the Wawa at the intersection of 43rd Street Boulevard East and State Road 64 East, the site of a former Eckerd Drug store. The Wawa would be the first in Manatee or Sarasota counties, although developers have not announced a date yet for when they expect that store to open.

Wawa has undergone a rapid expansion in Florida in the past year, opening several stores in the Tampa, St. Pete and Orlando markets. Next year, Wawa plans to open 25 stores in Central Florida, 14 in the Tampa Bay Area and 11 more in Orlando, according to the company website.

The northeastern-based company originally opened in New Jersey in 1803. Their product transitioned from iron foundry into a Pennsylvania-based dairy farm over the next 100 years.  In 1964, the first Wawa food market opened, specializing in dairy products. 

Today Wawa is more of a convenience store with gas pumps and a deli, but faithful fans frequent the business because of their made-to-order sandwiches, fresh coffee and inexpensive fuel. 

"The new stores will each employ more than 35 associates, all of which are new positions brought to the area through the development of the stores," the website states. "Associates in these full and part-time positions will not only receive competitive salaries and health benefits, but will have the opportunity to be enrolled in Wawa’s employee stock ownership plan."