Wawa, Inc. recently announced that Wednesday, April 16, will be the grand opening of the “first Wawa store in the state of Ohio, launching the retailer’s expansion into the Midwest,” according to a press release. The site is located north of Cincinnati and is “the first of 8 to 10 Wawa stores slated to open in Ohio by year’s end” according to the retailer.
“We are excited to fly into Ohio and bring our unique combination of fresh food and beverage, convenience and service to this state for the very first time. This historic milestone kicks off our ongoing growth and expansion in Ohio as we continue to build new stores and create new jobs,” said Brian Schaller, president of Wawa.
Wawa said that over the next five to eight years, it plans to build and open six to ten stores per year in Ohio, with expectations to open up to 60 stores in the state. To build each store, Wawa will “invest more than $7.5 million and employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners. Once open, each store will employ an average of 35 associates, with Wawa expecting to create 2,100 new, long-term new jobs as a result of expansion in Ohio.”
Last year, Wawa announced plans to open 40 new stores in central Pennsylvania over the next five years.
Meanwhile, QuikTrip recently opened its new location in Ooltewah, Tennessee, located along Interstate 75, marking the retailer’s sixth location in Tennessee according to a press release.
“We are excited to bring QuikTrip’s signature commitment to quality and efficient service to Ooltewah,” said QuikTrip Corporate Communications Manager Aisha Jefferson. “The QuikTrip team is working hard to ensure our customers enjoy best-in-class service and amenities from day one, and we look forward to continuing our reputation as a good neighbor throughout the Chattanooga metro area.”
Sheetz unveiled its newest “Shwellness Center” last week in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This marks Sheetz’s “third Shwellness Center designed to prioritize the holistic well-being of all Sheetz employees and eligible family members,” according to a press release sent to NACS. Sheetz’s first wellness center opened in 2012 on the company’s Claysburg, Pennsylvania campus, followed by a second location at its Burlington, North Carolina, distribution center.
Sheetz said the location can bolster both physical and mental health, including annual physical exams, urgent and sick care, behavioral health counseling, personalized health coaching, expert nutritional guidance, lab services, free onsite medications, allergy shots and more.
In other recent news, Sheetz announced a collaboration with the videogame Fortnite in January.