Wawa, a New Jersey founded convenience store chain, officially broke ground on its first Alabama store in Fairhope on June 13.

The event offered guests the opportunity to sample featured coffee and beverages, and view a presentation highlighting future updates to come as the chain expands further into the South.

At the Fairhope groundbreaking event, Wawa hosted more than 25 VIP customers, as well as local officials and partners, who participated in the groundbreaking and were the first to hear the plans for the next site to go under construction this year in Cottage Hill Road & Sollie Road with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for October 2023. While the Fairhope store is projected to open in the second quarter of 2024.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to break ground on our first store and celebrate with our newest soon-to-be neighbors,” said Steve Hasher, Director of Store Operations for Wawa. “We are thrilled to be kicking off our expansion into Alabama and can’t wait to open our doors.”

At the groundbreaking, Wawa presented a $2,500 grant to Prodisee Pantry to purchase kid-friendly foods including peanut butter & jelly, apple sauce, granola bars, etc. for a program with the local library to teach children how to cook healthy foods.