Wawa Kicks Off Bus Tour to Introduce Brand in Miami Market

MIAMI — Wawa Inc. is going all in on the Miami market.

On Oct. 11, the convenience store retailer hosted a triple-header of hard-hat events, celebrating the construction of its first three c-stores to open in Miami.

To highlight its upcoming presence in the city, Wawa is hosting events at each coming location. The day starts at 6971 SW 24th Street at 10 a.m., followed by 11995 SW 137th Ave. at 1 p.m. and 11101 SW 184th Street at 3 p.m.

According to Wawa, the events include:

• 6971 SW 24th Street: rendering reveal, cornerstone placement, and a first look at the store design
• 11995 SW 137th Ave.: groundbreaking with a focus on future development plans
• 11101 SW 184th Street: steel beam signing and placement of beam

"We are thrilled to announce our official entrance into the Miami market with three special construction events that showcase just how much we appreciate our local community members and celebrate that they are the key to our success," said Waw President and CEO Chris Gheysens.

"We can't wait for our new Wawa friends and neighbors to join us and celebrate the construction of our first three Miami stores by signing the final steel beam, putting shovels in the ground, and placing the official cornerstone in one of our stores," he said, adding the company looks forward to its continued expansion in Florida.

During each construction event, Wawa fans will be able to sample their favorite products and share personal stories about what Wawa means to them.

Brian Schaller, Wawa's senior vice president of fuel and real estate, will also be on hand to share details on the locations, time frame for store openings and plans for the Miami market over the next several years.

In addition, Wawa Chief Operations Officer Cathy Pulos and the Wawa Foundation will announce local partnerships around the foundation's focus areas of health, hunger and everyday heroes with Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Feeding South Florida and Communities in Schools Miami.

At each event, Pulos and the Wawa Foundation will announce grants to support local initiatives including:

• Funding for Nicklaus Children's Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Services programs at the main hospital and also at outpatient clinics near each of the new Wawa stores.
• Sponsorship of Mobile Pantry Visits by Feeding South Florida to local pantries near each Wawa store to distribute fresh produce, vegetables and perishable items.
• A partnership with Communities in Schools Miami to bring the Wawa Book Club literacy program to local elementary schools near each of the three new Wawa stores.

The retailer will also kick off its first Wawa Bus Tour immediately following the final construction event. The Wawa Bus will be onsite at each of the hard-hat events. For the next several months, the bus will cruise along to special locations, organizations and nonprofits throughout the city to introduce Wawa's people, brand and culture to Miami.

Pennsylvania-based Wawa operates more than 800 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.