Alabama's first Wawa opened in Fairhope last week to much fanfare. Some lifelong Southerners just don't get the hype, but that's OK. One day you, too, could be a Wawa VIP.

Wawa appreciates its longtime customers, and that was evident at the Taste of Wawa event held the day before opening. One woman checking in had been a loyal customer for 18 years and was invited to the event. She was not the only one as half of the guests were longtime customers. Some were from up north while others were from Florida where Wawa has had a presence for years.

Area Manager Charlene Harrell

Speaking of loyal customers, the Fairhope High School students have been so loyal since opening day that principal John Cardwell sent an email to all the parents alerting them to the fact that students who come to school and then leave the property to visit Wawa will be considered a "skipper" and get suspension. He suggested students visit Wawa before coming to school.

If you are interested in what the hype is all about, here are our top tips for your first visit:

• Download the Wawa app – Download the Wawa app and sign up for the rewards program. If you are going to visit or purchase gasoline, you might as well earn free stuff. The app also gives you the ability to order food in advance to pick it up. The order ahead feature is great when you need to pick up lunch quick or dinner after that baseball game.

• It's more than a gas station – Yes, Wawa sells gasoline, but the business got its start as a dairy and when the first market opened in 1964. It was called Wawa Food Mart. Wawa is a one-stop shop where you can fill up your car, grab some convenience store snacks, a pack of cold beer or order dinner.

• Know the lingo – In our part of the country, a deli meat sandwich on a bread roll is called a sub. At Wawa, it's a hoagie. Different name but the same tasty sandwich.

• Late night? – One thing Fairhope was missing was a place to go at 2 a.m. when you have a late-night craving. Wawa stays open 24 hours a day. Area Manager Charlene Harrell said Wawa stays open unless the city requires them to close. So, if a storm is headed this way, Wawa is there unless the city says they must close.

• The culture – Wawa prides itself on being private and associate-owned with over a third of the company being owned by each associate who works for the company. In addition, Wawa has been embedding itself in local organizations since before they broke ground. Two organizations they have already given back to are Prodisee Food Pantry and Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation (FEEF).

Wawa is set to open two more stores later this year: one in Robertsdale and one in Mobile. A second Fairhope location is planned at the corner of Hwy. 181 and County Road 104. Fairhope Wawa is at 18968 Greeno Road, Fairhope.
Are you excited for Wawa or wondering what all the fuss is about? Let us know in the comments what your favorite Wawa snack is in the comments.