Living in Vermont the option for fast affordable food is slim to none, and not easily accessible. Planting Wawa’s in precise high traffic areas won’t only do well for the company but for the daily consumer.
While it’s good to support local business , consumers like convenience, and better prices. That’s what Wawa’s has to offer.
Wawa was founded by George Wood in 1902; It started as a dairy farm. A couple decades later in 1964 Grahame Wood opened the first Wawa food market, present day gas station.
Wawa’s locations are primarily in the east coast region. In Pennsylvania you will see them every couple miles. They are known for their: convenience, fresh made-to-order food, and their own Wawa products like their coffee.
“It’s got everything, the drinks always hit when you’re parched.” said Hardwood senior Eli Herrington, when Common Ground asked what he thought about Wawa’s.
He also rated it a 8.2/10 and when asked if he would want them in Vermont he responded. “Yea for sure, that would be my new place to stop at”
The down side of bringing them to Vermont is the effect they might have on local businesses. In the past Vermont has not approved franchised brands.
For example, in Waterbury it was proposed to have a dollar tree put in the town and it didn’t pass because of the pride people have for local businesses.
Gas stations in Vermont are actually mainly owned by franchised chains. Such as Stewarts, and Maple Fields. The handful of locally owned gas stations include Crossroads, and the VG.
So the local aspect of planting Wawa’s wouldn’t have as much of an impact as people might think.
Wawas offer a made to order option for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with their own brand made products from donuts to drinks. Some favorites are soft pretzels, coffee, and iced teas.
Along with all the options Wawa provides you can also sign up to be a rewards member. This would include deals on things like: hoagies, coffee, and gas.
You earn points with every dollar you spend purchasing things at Wawa. With people going to gas stations at least a couple times a week, getting deals or rewards off. Seems like Wawa’s might save you a couple bucks.
Another slept on feature that some locations have are 24 hours. This is a big deal because the only other thing in Waterbury is the mobile gas station, which doesn’t sell hot food past around six o’clock.
Living in Vermont, if you are hungry past ten you have to drive to Burlington to eat either McDonalds or things like Dave’s Hot Chicken. These aren’t a great choice if you are watching the calories.
Not that Wawa would be much better but at least better than the options already available. At a more affordable price.
Bringing Wawa’s into Waterbury/Vermont as a whole would make peoples lives just that little bit easier that would make a difference.