Great Wawa Massacre Of 2008 Continues

Johnny Goodtimes is reporting that the Wawa at 20th and Chestnut is closing at the end of the month. I’m too lazy to walk five blocks down to see if there’s a sign up or anything, but let’s just assume it’s true.

And let’s assume this is true also: He writes all the Center City Wawas will be leaving when their leases are up — even my beloved Jefferson Hospital location?! — and that Wawa hates us. Well, duh, they’re a business. But why just leave Center City?

Naturally, the twentysomething white people of in and around Center City will not be standing for this business decision travesty, and will no doubt be protesting for the rest of the year. Although 6 of 10 Center City Wawas have closed since 2000, 2/29 will forever be the official start of the Great Wawa Massacre of 2008.

Wawa Not As Welcome Outside City

While residents of Center City Philadelphia protest the closing of their Wawas, those in the suburbs are fighting a Wawa from moving into their community tooth and nail.

The company wants to open a 5,800-square foot deli and 16 gas pumps in Warminster, but the city’s zoning laws for some reason prevent this from happening. Much like Philadelphia nimbys, the suburban subspecies really doesn’t want anything to change, anywhere, ever:

Longtime Street Road resident Charlotte Payne, who lives near the site, worries the project would bring more traffic to an already congested intersection. Cars have difficulties turning from Newtown Road onto Street Road and often back up 10 deep.

Wawa’s attorney, Tom Hecker, pointed out that the township’s traffic consultant approved Wawa’s traffic report and plan to keep congestion to a minimum. Hecker asked Payne if she had seen this report, to which she replied “I don’t need to look at it. I live there.”

Hey, can’t the company just put some gas pumps on the corner of 20th and Locust and re-open the Dorchester Wawa? I really don’t see any reason why not.

Wawa still a no-go [The Intelligencer]

WawaTF, People: The Vigil Video

Intrepid Reporter Alli Katz — yet another PW employee whose talent I am consistently jealous of — went out to film the Wawa Vigil last night.

The results are up there with Mascot Monday and Milton Street’s casket jam. WawaTF, indeed.

Truly, a lamentable loss for the community. There is a Flickr series here done by djstarr as well. We will never forget.

Wawa Vigil [PW]