FOLSAM, PA – Fifty years ago, Wawa Inc. opened its very first store at 1212 MacDade Boulevard in Folsom, Pennsylvania. In honor of this milestone, Wawa is kicking-off its 50th anniversary in retail with two in-store celebrations. The first takes place at Wawa's very first store in Folsom, PA. The second takes place at Wawa's 1707 Arch Street store in Philadelphia, where Mayor Nutter will officially proclaim April 16 as “Wawa Day” in the City of Philadelphia.
Both events will honor the milestone customers, associates and stories of the past five decades that make Wawa a living, breathing brand. As a highlight of each event, Wawa's former CEO and current Vice Chairman Howard Stoeckel will officially launch the sale of his book, "The Wawa Way," which will go on sale to the public that day in all Wawa stores. Stoeckel, Wawa Chairman Richard D. Wood Jr. and Wawa President and CEO Chris Gheysens will lead the celebrations.
“Wawa Day” will conclude with a special evening ceremony for Wawa Associates, business partners and invited community members at the National Constitution Center.
Both ceremonies will be filled with the sights and sounds of Wawa from 1964 through today. At both store events, a hoagie history exhibit, chronicling the development of Wawa's signature sandwich from its inception, will be on display. The events will also include: original ads and signage from 1964; Wawa's 1918 antique auto-car and of course, Wawa's Mascot, Wally Goose, who will be on-hand to help celebrate Wawa's milestone.
"2014 is a milestone year for Wawa, in more ways than one! We're celebrating our 50th anniversary in retail and the release of a book written by Howard Stoeckel, we're launching the Wawa Foundation, and we're celebrating the grand opening of 45 new stores," said Gheysens. "We're moving full-steam ahead and could not be more excited to celebrate the customers and associates who have made this success possible, while sharing our exciting plans to fulfill customers' lives in new and meaningful ways well into the future."