More than 100 Wawa fans were among those celebrating the official groundbreaking ceremony for the first Wilmington location of the convenience store and gas station. Local officials and representatives from the Philladelphia-based business were also on hand at the corner of 17th Street and Wellington Avenue on Aug. 13 to pose with shovels and hard hats and help unveil a “Coming Soon” sign.
This location is slated to open in the second quarter of 2026. But after that, they should come online quickly, said Kim Dowgielewicz, Wawa’s director of store pperations. The company expects to open three to four in Wilmington next year.
Wawa in Wilmington
Wawa also announced that additional stores at 6900 Carolina Beach Road and 9021 Stephens Church Road should open in the first half of 2026. More than 10 locations are under contract in the greater Wilmington area. There are plans to open up to seven stores in Wilmington and five more in the surrounding market area by 2030, Wawa officials said.
It’s just part of their expansion plans for North Carolina. On Aug. 14, a Wawa location is set to open in Jacksonville, which will be the 14th in the state. Eventually, there could be up to 90 across North Carolina.
The first Wilmington location is being built near the Food Lion grocery store and in the former site for businesses like a P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille and Pizza Hut…