WaWa makes Florida debut with new prototype

Orlando, Fla. -- Convenience-store operator WaWa has entered the Florida market, opening a store across from Sea World in Orlando. Four additional units are scheduled to open in the Orlando market during the next four five weeks.

Designed by New York City-based CBX with the help of local architects and engineers Cuhaci & Peterson, Wawa’s new 4,600-sq.-ft. Orlando store is intended to reflect the language and style associated with Floridian vernacular architecture. The new ground-up store will serve as the prototypical design for Wawa’s wave of new stores planned for the Central Florida market.



Exterior characteristics include pastel colors, clapboard siding, pitched roofs and front porches that reference historic south and central Florida building types. The design also pays careful attention to landscaping, allowing the fuel islands and store to blend with its verdant surroundings.



The new location features WaWa’s familiar “winged” gas canopy, a centrally located entry portal, ample up-front parking and the chain’s signature Canada Goose logo. The new Florida prototype also features expansive windows that provide a clear view to the new interior design.



“While the new design style is uniquely Floridian, every other visual reference is recognizably Wawa,” said Joseph Bona, CBX retail division president.



The store has a spacious open layout, with high ceilings and abundant natural lighting. The interior boasts a vibrant red-tiled wall placed front and center highlighting the new center island kitchen. The food preparation area also incorporates a full-service specialty beverage section where customers can order 20+ handmade varieties of hot drinks, espressos, Chai teas and lattes, as well as more than 20 varieties of Smoothies and frozen beverages.



Guests can order any specialty drink or sandwich exactly the way they want using Wawa’s touch-screen system, with a series of screens prominently positioned at the kitchen/specialty beverage area’s counters.



Wawa currently operates nearly 600 stores in five Mid-Atlantic states.