ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The popular gas station chain known as Wawa has officially opened its first store in Florida on Wednesday.
The newest Wawa is near the intersection of Central Florida Parkway and International Drive, across from SeaWorld. It’s the first of five stores set to open in the next few weeks.
The 24-hour store specializes in fresh, built-to-order foods like hoagies, beverages, coffee and fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Wawa is like heaven on earth,” said Dana Baquero, of New Jersey. “I mean, you cannot beat Wawa. It's a taste of home."
Gov. Rick Scott, Orange County Mayor Theresa Jacobs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and other community members were on-hand for the grand opening.
“There is no way of explaining it. 7-Eleven’s got nothing on Wawa,” said Baquero.
Each location across the Orlando area cost about $6 million to build, and each will provide roughly 35 jobs.
There are roughly 600 stores already in the mid-Atlantic states, but WAWA’s president said the choice was because one in five people in Central Florida are already familiar with the store.
Depending on the success of the first store, Wawa has plans to build more than 100 more across central Florida and statewide.
Other stores will open soon at the following locations:
- 5910 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando, FL 32821
- 4700 S. Goldenrod Road
Orlando, FL 32822
- 2184 E. Irlo Bronson
Kissimmee, FL 34744
- 2499 N. Orange Blossom Trail
Kissimmee, FL 34744
- 2500 Silver Star Road
Orlando, FL 32804
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