Wawa Opens First Ohio Location, Generating Excitement and Anticipation

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The first Wawa store in Ohio is set to open Wednesday, April 16, marking a significant milestone for the convenience store chain as it expands into the Midwest. Located at the intersection of Liberty Way and Cincinnati Dayton Road, the new store promises to bring beloved East Coast favorites like hoagies, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches to local residents.

In anticipation of the grand opening, Wawa hosted a “Taste of Wawa” event for VIP customers and community members, offering them a chance to sample various menu items. Michele Venturi, a Philadelphia native, and her grandson were the first to enter the store, expressing their excitement with Venturi stating, “I love it. I’m so excited! My first stop is always Wawa when I visit home.”

The Liberty Township location is the first of nine Wawa stores planned for Ohio this year, with additional openings scheduled in Colerain, Deerfield Township, Fairfield, Huber Heights, Lebanon, Mason, Springdale, and Union Township. Joseph Collins, Wawa’s Midwest Director of Store Operations, mentioned, “We have been asked so many times over the last several years, ‘When am I going to get a Wawa?’ It’s fulfilling for us to finally deliver on that request.”

The chain is not only expanding in Ohio but also has plans to enter the markets in Indiana and Kentucky in the coming years. Collins emphasized the chain’s commitment to serving the community, saying, “What we’re excited about tomorrow is the opportunity to serve the community here in Ohio.”

Wawa’s diverse menu appeals to a broad audience, from families enjoying breakfast sandwiches to local customers savoring their famous hoagies. David Thompson, another local resident originally from Philadelphia, remarked, “It’s always clean. The coffee’s good. They have the best hoagies here.”

During the preview event, customers sampled offerings including Italian hoagies, chicken and cheese quesadillas, and a beloved fall favorite—The Gobbler sandwich, which features Thanksgiving dinner in hoagie form. Mike Solon, a Wawa employee, predicted, “This November, I’m going to put on 50 pounds eating The Gobbler.”

The Liberty Township store, approximately 5,900 square feet, includes a touchscreen ordering system, a coffee bar with eight flavors, and self-checkout stands. To celebrate the opening, Wawa is offering a free hot coffee for customers from April 16 to April 27. Additionally, customers can join Wawa’s rewards program to earn points for free items.

Christy Nichols, a West Chester resident, expressed her delight at Wawa’s arrival, stating, “It’s nice to have something that provides good sandwiches at a reasonable price.”

The competitive convenience store market in the Tri-State area includes local players like Speedway and UDF, but industry experts believe Wawa’s unique offerings could make a significant impact. As Wawa continues its expansion, shoppers are excited about the variety and quality of food options that cater to their cravings.