Wawa Sets Date For First Ohio Store Opening
Wawa’s westward expansion continues as the convenience store chain will soon open its first location in Ohio.
The Media, Pa.-based retailer on April 16 will welcome Buckeye State shoppers to its location at 7198 Cincinnati Dayton Road in Liberty Township. The store is the first of up to 10 new Wawa stores the company plans to open in the state by the end of 2025.
Wawa’s entrance into its 10th state will come on “Wawa Day,” which celebrates the opening of its first store in Delaware County, Pa., on April 16, 1964.
“We are excited to fly into Ohio and bring our unique combination of fresh food and beverage, convenience and service to this state for the very first time,” said Brian Schaller, president of Wawa. “This historic milestone kicks off our ongoing growth and expansion in Ohio as we continue to build new stores and create new jobs. “We are also thrilled about extending our commitment to being a good neighbor with the announcement of several community partnerships made on opening day.”
The Liberty Township store is just the tip of the iceberg for Wawa in the state. Over the next 5 to 8 years, the company plans to build and open 6 to 10 stores per year in Ohio, with expectations of opening up to 60 stores in the state.
To build each store, Wawa will invest more than $7.5 million and employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners. Once open, each store will employ an average of 35 associates, with Wawa expecting to create 2,100 new, long-term jobs as a result of its Ohio expansion.
