Sheetz Plans New Convenience Store in Thorndale, Challenging Wawa’s Dominance

Thorndale, Pennsylvania — Sheetz has unveiled plans to build a new convenience store at the site of a former Rite Aid that closed following the pharmacy chain’s bankruptcy last year. The Altoona-based company aims to raze the old structure at 3807 Lincoln Highway, near Bondsville Road, and construct a 6,139-square-foot store that will include a drive-through and a gas station.

The proposal, which is expected to open by September 2026, has been documented in filings with Caln Township. These documents were obtained by The Inquirer via a Right to Know request. According to township manager Don Vymazal, Sheetz has expressed “preliminary interest” in the project, although a formal application has not yet been submitted. “We’re looking forward to public feedback on this and any project,” Vymazal stated.

As Sheetz prepares to enter the market, Wawa, also a major player in the convenience store sector, is watchful. The Philadelphia-based chain currently holds a stronger market share in Delaware County and recently opened a new location near Harrisburg International Airport. Both companies are well-known for their food and beverage offerings, intensifying the competition in the region.

The property where Sheetz intends to build is owned by NNN, a publicly traded real estate investment trust based in Orlando. NNN operates thousands of stores across the United States, emphasizing the opportunity for Sheetz to expand its footprint in an area dominated by Wawa.

Sheetz operates over 740 stores across six states but is particularly established in Western Pennsylvania. Its closest locations to Philadelphia are near Reading. The move into Thorndale marks Sheetz’s strategy to expand its presence in areas where it can compete directly with pre-existing Wawa locations.

In February 2023, Sheetz presented plans to local officials regarding a different location already served by Wawa, signalling its aim to infiltrate competitive markets further. The reaction from both the community and competing chain remains to be seen as Sheetz seeks to grow its market share.

Currently, Wawa has not commented publicly about Sheetz’s plans. As both companies move forward, the goal will be to secure customer loyalty amid a backdrop of changing market dynamics in the convenience store sector.