There's something incredibly comforting about Wawa.
It's not a convenience store, it's a way of life. At least it is in this area. I'm sure the people out in the central part of the state feel the same way about Scheetz (even if we all know that Wawa is far superior, with perhaps the one asterisk being that you can actually buy beer in some Sheetz stores, at least the ones I hit when visiting my son in West Virginia).
It seems like every neighborhood has its own Wawa.
It becomes part of our daily routine, a part of our lives. I know that when I visit our little Wawa here in Primos every day at lunchtime, I see many of the same people. I'm greeted by name by the manager.
For some reason, other stores just don't have the same feel.
Maybe that's why there was such a reaction to the news that Delaware County is losing a little bit of its history, and that of Wawa as well.
The historic store No. 1, the very first Wawa outlet, on MacDade Boulevard in Ridley, is going to bite the dust.
Last week we reported that a proposal for a new "super" Wawa has been given the green light for the intersection of MacDade Boulevard and Route 420.
When it opens, old No. 1 will close.
It was just a few weeks ago that company executives gathered at the old Folsom store to mark the 50th anniversary of its opening. The store opened its doors on April 16, 1964.
I thought the passing of the historic store merited a little more attention. So we did a follow-up story and splashed it all over Page One on Monday. The overline noted the end of an era: End of the line for historic Wawa store. I was responsible for the lead head: 1 ... & done. That's a play on words to denote the fact that the original No. 1 Wawa will close its doors. I also liked the head we used inside on the story on P. 3: "What's good for the goose: Wawa closing first store."
That of course is a reference to a question that always puzzles newcomers and visitors to the region: What the hell is a Wawa anyhow. We locals of course know Wawa is the native American word for the Canadian goose that was found in this area.
Of course once the story graced our front page, everyone jumped on it. It was all over TV and radio yesterday. The Inky also noted its passing.
Old No. 1 will remain open until the new super store opens.
Wawa spokesperson Susan Bratton put a good spin on it: "It will still be store No. 1 for us, even if it's a new store." She's the regional real estate manager for Wawa.
I have to admit I'm partial to the old Wawas. I wonder how long our little Wawa a block away here in Primos will be able to hold out.
I guess that's the price of progress.
Maybe you can call it the long and 'shorti' of it.
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