News Summary
Wawa has launched a new location in James City County, featuring a lively grand opening event with community festivities, a hoagie-building competition, and local charity donations. The store, located at 4007 Ironbound Road, showcases Wawa’s commitment to community involvement as it expands its presence in the region.
Wawa Celebrates Grand Opening of New Location in James City County with Community Festivities
James City County welcomed a new Wawa location at 4007 Ironbound Road, which officially opened its doors at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and members of the community.
The event began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Shannon Brooks, the Wawa area manager, who introduced the local management team. Key officials present included James City County supervisors Ruth Larson and Barbara Null, as well as County Administrator Scott Stevens. Members of the police and fire departments participated in the celebration, highlighting the store’s focus on community engagement.
As part of the opening festivities, Wawa offered free hot coffee in any size until August 24 and provided free T-shirts to the first 100 customers. In a spirited display of community involvement, a hoagie-building competition took place between the James City County Police and Fire Departments. Each team successfully assembled a maximum of 24 hoagies within two minutes. Following a tiebreaker, the fire department emerged as the winner, and each department received a $1,000 donation from Wawa for their chosen local charities. The police department designated its donation to Jamestown 4H, while the fire department contributed to the James City County Connect program.
Community Engagement and Charity Partnerships
Ruth Larson, chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors, expressed appreciation for Wawa’s commitment to involving local emergency services and community organizations in the celebrations. This emphasis on community connection aligns with Wawa’s broader commitment to partnering with various charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Special Olympics.
Details of the Event
The grand opening festivities included a lively atmosphere with music, giveaways, a parade to introduce Wawa’s management, and special appearances by Wawa’s mascot, Wally the Goose. The celebration showcased the company’s dedication to becoming an integral part of the local community.
Wawa’s Background
Wawa was founded in 1902 by George Wood in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and the very first Wawa Food Market opened its doors in 1964. Since then, the company has grown significantly, now operating over 1,100 stores across 11 states. Wawa remains family- and employee-owned, continuing its legacy of community involvement and service.
The new store marks Wawa’s fourth store in the Greater Williamsburg area, expanding its presence in the region while establishing its first location in James City County. Existing Wawa stores are already located in the city of Williamsburg and upper York County, demonstrating Wawa’s commitment to serving local communities.
As Wawa continues its growth, the company maintains its focus on community engagement, charitable partnerships, and providing quality service to its customers. The grand opening event in James City County reflects these values and sets a positive tone for the store’s presence in the area.
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Additional Resources
- WYDaily: Wawa Location Opens in James City County
- Daily Press: Wawa Celebrates Grand Opening
- Pilot Online: Wawa Grand Opening Event
- Indy Star: Opinion on Wawa Gas Station Approval
- Daily Press: Safe Driving Awareness Advocacy
- Wikipedia: Wawa
- Google Search: Wawa
- Google Scholar: Wawa
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wawa
- Google News: Wawa
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
