As a leader in convenience, we are constantly looking to the future – looking for new ways to simplify our customers’ lives and stay ahead of their evolving needs. And while we maintain that focus on keeping things fresh and vibrant, we believe it's just as important to commemorate our past.

That’s exactly what we did earlier this month, when we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our Wawa in Somers Point, New Jersey. The fabulous in-store celebration was our thank you to customers and associates for their loyalty over the last quarter century.  The event was a huge party featuring a gigantic coffee cup cake, music by special guests Wally and the Honkers, and of course dancing, free coffee, and lots of hugs and love.

The Somers Point anniversary celebration is part of the 2009 Year of the Wawaversary, where in honor of our 45th year in the convenience retailing business, we are celebrating milestone anniversaries of 25 years and more at over 45 stores throughout our chain.

As we celebrated our Somers Point Wawaversary, I couldn’t help but marvel at how far we have come.  Twenty five years ago, we had 294 stores, our sandwich business was kicking into high gear, and we introduced hot foods to the menu.  Today we have over 560 stores, sell more than 56 million built-to-order hoagies each year, and have more than 16,000 Associates who make up the special Wawa family. More than anything though, I know that all of us at Wawa are most proud of the unique relationships our associates have forged with our customers and our communities.  

So it is only fitting that at each of our Wawaversary celebrations we recognize and celebrate milestone customers who have been frequenting the stores since the day they first opened their doors. 

We were honored to recognize, Elaine, Art, and Mark at our Somers Point anniversary celebration. They’ve made this store a part of their lives and their extended families throughout the past 25 years. 

According to Elaine, "There is no other cup of coffee, besides a Wawa cup of coffee… I love the people, and I just love coming in here to shop everyday." 

Art shares Elaine’s enthusiasm saying, "I'm in here five times a day!  This place is like home to me.” 

Mark, who is part of the Somers Point Emergency Management Team, agrees.  “Wawa has done so much for us.  Just last week we were out on a house fire call for six hours. Wawa got wind of it and sent over 25 pots of coffee to fill up our canteens.  You'd be surprised how far a hot cup of coffee can go on a long, cold night; they truly are the best."

To Elaine, Art, Mark, and all our other incredible customers, here’s to another 25 years and beyond!  We will continue to celebrate the strong traditions of our past, the incredible customers and associates of our present, and the strong direction of our future. 

So Happy Wawaversary Somers Point Store. You’re truly one to grow on, and with.

‘Til next time…