WAWA, PA — Wawa, Inc. made company history with the grand opening of its first Ohio store, located at 7198 Cincinnati Dayton Road in Liberty Township. This milestone marks the beginning of an ambitious expansion plan, with nine locations slated to open in Ohio by the end of the year.
The launch coincided with Wawa Day, an annual celebration of the company’s first store opening in Folsom, Pennsylvania, in 1964. To celebrate the occasion and its 61-year history, Wawa offered complimentary hot coffee at all 1,100 stores across its 10-state footprint. The new Liberty Township store will extend the coffee promotion through April 27.
Hundreds of eager customers and local supporters joined Wawa for its ribbon-cutting ceremony, historical “Parade of the Ages,” and Ohio’s inaugural “Hoagies for Heroes” contest. The hoagie-building competition saw representatives from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Liberty Township Fire Department compete to craft as many sandwiches as possible in three minutes, earning $1,000 each for their selected charities.
“We’re thrilled to fly into Ohio and bring our unique combination of fresh food and beverage, convenience, and service to new friends and neighbors in the Buckeye State,” said Brian Schaller, President of Wawa. “This historic milestone kicks off the next chapter of our growth in the Midwest, and we’re overjoyed at the warm welcome we continue to receive from so many communities we’re now proud to count as part of the Wawa flock. It’s fitting that we mark our expansion into a 10th state on Wawa Day, the anniversary of our first store opening in Pennsylvania back in 1964.”
The day also highlighted Wawa’s commitment to local communities. The Wawa Foundation presented $5,000 grants to the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. A portion of proceeds from hoagie sales during the first week of business, up to $5,000, will be donated to the Freestore Foodbank through the “Lending a Helping Hoagie” initiative.
Liberty Township Board of Trustees President Tom Farrell welcomed the store, saying, “Their decision to open their very first Ohio location right here is a testament to the strength of our community and the continued growth we’re experiencing. Wawa’s presence adds new energy and opportunity to our local economy, and we’re excited to be part of this important milestone.”
Led by General Manager Tyler Morrow, the new store employs 35 associates. Beyond creating these local jobs, Wawa’s long-term plan aims to open 45-55 Ohio locations over the next decade, generating an estimated 2,000 long-term positions. Each store represents a $7.5 million investment, with construction involving approximately 140 contractors and partners per site.
With its debut in the Midwest, Wawa demonstrates a commitment to delivering its signature blend of fresh food, customer service, and community support to new markets. The company looks forward to forging strong ties in Ohio while continuing its expansion efforts.
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