Pensacola's first Wawa is set to break ground soon on West Nine Mile Road

One of two promised Wawa stores received final approval on Wednesday by Escambia County's Development Review Committee and construction is expected to start soon at the corner of West Nine Mile and Beulah Road.

The new Wawa will be the first of what is expected to be at least two of the hugely popular national chain convenience store and gas stations to break ground in the Pensacola area. Wawa announced two locations would be coming to the community earlier this year, with the second location to be built off of U.S. Highway 98 and North Blue Angel Parkway.

When the chain first announced its interest in Pensacola, officials said an additional three to four sites were under consideration.

The West Nine Mile Wawa is planned to be 6,119 square feet on an almost 18-acre parcel that is currently undeveloped, according to the development’s Project Information Form filed with Escambia County.

Here’s what we know about the chain’s expansion into Pensacola.

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What is Wawa?

"Wawa" is an Ojibwe Native American word that translates, more or less, as “Canada goose." It's also the name of the town where this version of the company developed as well as where the corporate offices still reside. That's also why a goose is on the company's corporate logo.

The popular convenience store and gas station chain began in 1964 in Pennsylvania and has branched out from the state in a rapid fashion.

Wawa has opened 267 stores in Florida and employs about 10,000 associates across the state. After expanding its footprint across six additional states, Wawa has ranked No. 23 on the Forbes list of largest privately held companies in America.

Wawas also are famous for customer service, scrupulously clean bathrooms, decent gas prices, free air for your tires and no-charge ATMs. They're a comforting presence for travelers and a community hub for neighborhoods. In 2022 Forbes ranked them No. 12 in their Halo 100 list of brands that consumers love.

Each chain is open 24 hours every day of the year serving its handcrafted drinks, popular customizable hoagies and other fresh foods outside of the usual snacks and beverages available at a gas station.

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Where will the first Pensacola Wawa be?

The first Wawa in Pensacola will be at 5888 W Nine Mile Road.

In February Steve Hasher, director of store operations, introduced Wawa to the Pensacola community in a celebratory "community day event" at the Bayview Community Center.

Wawa's Florida stores are mostly in the southwest, across central Florida and up and down the east coast, but in 2021 Wawa announced plans to open up to 40 new stores around Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee (along with Mobile, Alabama) over the next eight to 10 years.

There are 1,027 Wawa stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The first Wawa in Florida opened on July 18, 2012, in Orlando, across from SeaWorld.

When will the new Wawa open?

The new Wawa is expected to open in 2024. Wawa officials said earlier this year that construction of new locations usually takes about six to nine months.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola's first Wawa is set to break ground soon on West Nine Mile