Wawa announces grand opening date for first Georgia store

The red Wawa letters on a storefront
This April 2, 2015 file photo shows a Wawa convenience store in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Wawa, a popular convenience and gas station chain throughout the eastern United States, officially announced on Wednesday the grand opening date for their first Georgia location.

The inaugural store is set to open on Nov. 14 in Bainbridge, a city located in the southwest area of the state.

According to a recent press release, the event will include “special festivities, ribbon cutting ceremonies, announcements of community partnerships and support for local organizations.”

The store is the first of several locations that Wawa plans to open in the Peach State, with sites in Brunswick, Jesup, Hinesville, Pooler, Waycross, Tifton, Valdosta and Albany all under contracts.

The company states that they plan to build and open over 25 stores in Georgia in the next 3 to 4 years, with Wawa investing $7.5 million in the construction of each location.

Each store is estimated to employ an average of 35 associates, “expecting to create more than 900 long-term new jobs as a result of expansion in Georgia.”

“We are thrilled to begin our expansion into Georgia with our first store in Bainbridge,” said Nancy Dulaney, director of store operations.

“We can’t wait to host our grand opening and look forward to bringing our unique brand of fresh food, beverages and convenience to Georgia as we further our commitment to providing our new friends and neighbors with not only a new level of convenience but a strong, committed community partner,” Dulaney added.

Outside of the upcoming Georgia store, the chain currently holds nearly 1,000 locations located throughout the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Washington, D.C.