Sarasota County gets its first Wawa store

Two long tables, covered with red tablecloths and facing six rows of white folding chairs, set the stage for the grand opening of Sarasota’s first Wawa store, located at 3703 N. Washington Blvd.

Carol Maher sat in the back row waiting for the festivities to begin. She moved to Sarasota eight years ago from New Jersey, where she would go to a Wawa two or three times a day. Needless to say, she was excited to see the store opening in Sarasota.

“I have been waiting for it to open forever,” Maher said.

Sarasota Vice Mayor Shelli Freeland Eddie and County Commissioner Carolyn Mason welcomed the store to the community.

“Even though you’re on the city side, the county is across the street. It’s all Sarasota!” said Mason, addressing Wawa employees and audience members.

The festivities concluded with a sandwich-making competition between the Sarasota Police Department and Sarasota Fire Department.  

The police department established an early lead to win the competition 24-18. Terrill Salem, a Sarasota firefighter, said the odds were stacked against the fire department.  

“Their meat was already out of the plastic bag and stacked nicely," Salem said, laughing. "They had an advantage.”

Despite their loss, Wawa donated $1,000 to the fire department’s charity of choice, the Sarasota Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund. The store also donated $1,000 to the Special Olympics on behalf of the police department.

Two more Wawa locations will open in Venice this fall, with more locations to follow in the future.