Being the lead goose of a brand that is so beloved is sometimes bittersweet.  It’s always extremely gratifying to know how people feel about Wawa; however, sometimes this connection and passion our customers feel leads to moments that are difficult.

We’re having one of those moments now in Delaware County, where after 28 great years of service to our community, we will close our store in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.  As you know, Wawa is always striving to create the next level of convenience for our customers.  Beyond conventional convenience, however, we believe that the emotional connection we are able to create with individuals and with our communities is what makes Wawa so special.  That’s why change is so hard, even if ultimately it makes our customers’ lives better.

Over the years we’ve had to close many of our stores that can no longer deliver the experience our customers have come to expect. We have a keen awareness that what separates successful retailers from those who haven't succeeded is the ability to change and make difficult decisions no matter how painful and emotional they may be.

Throughout our 200 year history - from selling cannonballs to fire hydrants to diapers to dairy to convenience to convenience with gas - we've learned that to build the business you have to change.  It's truer today than ever before.  In fact, we are one of the few remaining retailers still headquartered in this market today.  Retailers who don’t change with the times run the risk of going out of business.  Once great hometown retailers like Wanamakers, Strawbridges or Gimbles to name a few, are no longer a part of the retail landscape.  Change is necessary no matter how hard, in order to live out our promise to meet our customers’ evolving needs and simplify our customers' daily lives by remaining relevant through both our offer and brand standards. Over the past couple of years, we've closed the vast majority of stores that don't meet those standards.  Having said that, there may be a few more, like the one the Wallingford, PA that we will close later this month.

Whenever possible, we try to renovate, expand or relocate our older stores to bring them up to date to support our current experience, but sometimes this just isn’t possible and we are forced to close these stores.  This is never an easy decision.  It’s a decision that tugs at our heart strings because we know that all of the communities we serve become part of our extended family.

But there is good news for the Wallingford Community.  We have several stores located throughout Delaware County, including one less than a mile away, that look forward to serving our Wallingford residents and to welcoming them as new friends and family.  We want to say thank you to the Wallingford community from the bottom of our hearts for their loyalty and business for the past 28 years.  We look forward to serving our Wallingford customers at these nearby locations for the next 28 years and beyond.

‘Til next time…

In my last entry, I shared how humbled I was to be a part of the Montgomery County's 5th Fire District award dinner. It was a chance to thank and acknowledge our local heroes for keeping us safe each and every day, serving our communities at a moment's notice.

In today's world, I can't help but be reminded that so many of our heroes not only serve their own communities, but they often travel to the ends of the earth to serve and protect us. Heroes like SPC Sandra Trettner. Sandra is stationed in Iraq with Delta Company, 250th BSB, and she recently wrote to us about starting to miss home and her family. Needles to say, I was humbled again when a she went on to say that Wawa would be one of her first stops when she returned home, even mentioning her favorite coffees by name and size! (Kona and Chocolate Caramel 16 and 20 oz., by the way...).  

Members of the armed forces like SPC Trettner go above and beyond for their country every day, so we are always honored to do our part for the heroes who do so much for us. Wawa has been sending coffee at the request of soldiers like SPC Trettner since 2005, in response to the many letters we receive from our troops abroad.

Recently, the HHC 261st Signal Brigade from Camp Victory Iraq even sent a Certificate of Appreciation to our Associates as a way to thank us for sending coffee supplies to the troops and for helping keep morale high for hundreds of soldiers. To all the troops out there, we want you know; the coffee will keep on coming.  We hope this small offering helps give a little boost to morale.  It's our way to help lessen the sting of homesickness with a taste of home. And most of all, it's Wawa's small way of saying "thank you."

People say it's the little things that can make a big difference. And here at Wawa, that same philosophy applies to serving our customers.  All 16,000 Wawa associates take pride in doing things just a little bit better. Convenience isn't just about speed - it's about fast, friendly service, greeting customers by name, and the hundreds of small acts each day that show that we care.

Til' next time...