It’s been over four months since I’ve stepped foot inside a Wawa convenience store.
Never heard of Wawa? Here’s a little background info I provided on Wawa in a previous post.
If you haven’t heard of Wawa, then just imagine what the ultimate convenience store would be like, and that’s Wawa. It’s better than 7-Eleven, Sheetz, or any regional convenience store chain you can think of. It’s a Philadelphia based chain, with stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida. If you ever visit the Philly area, then Wawa has to be on your list of places to visit.
Sure, if you are visiting Philly for the first time, you’ve got to see the Liberty Bell. But your next stop should be Wawa; in fact, there’s one a little more than a football field away from the Bell.
Anyway, between being in Singapore for the first few months of the year, and then coming home to a lockdown, I hadn’t been able to stop into my favorite store for over four months now. You’ve got to realize, this is a place I would stop in to at least a couple of times a week.
Sure, it’s been open the whole time – it’s most certainly an essential part of people’s lives around here – but I couldn’t justify going there since we were doing all of our grocery shopping online and eating our meals at home. So it wasn’t a “necessity” to me.
But today I just couldn’t take it any longer – the slogan “gottahava Wawa” kept running through my head.
I had to stop in and pick up that most Philly of all foods – a soft pretzel.
I was happy, but not surprised, to see that Wawa had things well under control, safe distancing markers, hand sanitizer bottles, plastic shields in front of the cashier, and everybody was wearing a mask.
And they had soft pretzels.
My son and I each picked one up, along with a couple of other items, and we were in and out in a couple of minutes.
But what wonders that short visit did for me.
It brought to life the bravery of store employees who have been working through this pandemic.
It showed me that people were taking things seriously and showing respect for each other by doing all the things we have been asked to do.
It gave me the sense that things were returning to normal, slowly but surely.
And of course, it reminded me of how great Wawa is, and how yummy their soft pretzels are.
Yes, the visit was all that and more.
So if you are ever in the Philly area be sure to make it a point to stop in at a Wawa.
Heck, you may even want to visit one before you check out the Liberty Bell…
Oh Wawa! Yes! Now you made me hungry for a soft pretzel! The simple things can fill us with happiness can’t they! 🙂
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indeed they can! I thought you might have been a Sheetz person…
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Oh I am a Sheetz person now but I remember Wawa fondly! 🙂
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hmmmm… that’s almost grounds for putting this comment into spam and unfollowing you… 🙂
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Hahaha!!😛
We walk to the end of our street and cross the street and there Sheetz is! How much more perfect can it get! 😉
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if you walked across the street and there was a Wawa there…
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Haha! I see I left that wide open for you. I wasn’t actually asking….😛
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I was just stating the obvious… 🙂
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I never heard of Wawa. Not to make fun of something that seems so great, but that seems like an odd name for someone to choose. It gives one the impression of baby talk. It must have felt pretty great to go back into a store that you enjoy so much after four months.
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it is an odd name, but that’s part of the charm. it is believed the name comes from the Native American name for goose, which is the company’s logo. It is also the name of the town where Wawa got started and is still located. It did feel good to stop in…
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Having spent a week in Philly about 20 years ago I totally agree about Wawa. My recollection is it was just a very pleasant experience and I love the name. It is good to see Wawa is moving into new states.
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I’m glad you got a chance to stop in at Wawa while you were in town. Did you try a cheesesteak as well? And the Wawa name is just part of our vocabulary at this point…
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I’ve never had anything from Wawa but this makes me want to try their stuff!
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I don’t think there are any in Canada at the moment, so you’re going to have to go on a road trip. It will be worth it 🙂
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Well I look forward to a road trip when this is all over!
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I think there are going to be a lot of road trips when this is over!
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Lol that’s true
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Although I do not have one close enough to visit on a regular basis, I have enjoyed the delicious convenience of a Wawa’s in my travels. I have not tried there soft pretzels, but with your glowing recommendation, I will make the a part of my next visit when the opportunity arises. Great post!
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I hope the opportunity soon presents itself. You might want to try their coffee as well, that’s one of their big sellers…
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That I have had an enjoyed. Hopefully travels will bring me east!
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Hopefully!
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Now I want a pretzel from Wawa….i’ll remember your post, and hopefully be able one day to visit wawa
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If you’re ever in the Philly area, let me know. You’d have to try a cheesesteak as well while you were here… 🙂
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think I’m gonna try the whole selection..;D
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That’s the spirit!
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I hadn’t heard of Wawa or of soft pretzels. Now I’m wondering …
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You should try and get the rights to the first Wawa in Australia – I’m sure it would be a big hit, especially the pretzels 🙂
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Interesting thought. 🙂
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It’s good to be able to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, isn’t it? As Joni Mitchell said: you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
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As I might have expected, you’ve found the perfect lyric to accompany the post!
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I try 😉
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I’ve never been to a Wawa store, but the name alone would lure me in … Now, what am I supposed to do about my sudden craving for a warm soft pretzel this morning? Suddenly, my bowl of oatmeal feels deflated. Nice spot, Jim. Thanks for the share 😊
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Thanks, Michael. And while the name must be strange to people outside the area, it’s just part of our vocabulary here. And good to know there are soft pretzels in Toronto!
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There’s a town called Wawa in NW Ontario not far from the Michigan-Wisconsin border, which I’ve known about for years but have never visited. I’m sure I’ll make it to Philly before Wawa. I know of a local place that sells Pizza Pretzels, but that’s not what I’m still craving 10 hours later … also, a beer would help.
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Beer and a soft pretzel – a classic Philly combo!
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Philly gets its right in my books 🙂
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That’s not something we usually here!
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I love the name, have never been in one, and now want to visit one. I love that it offered you a sense of comfort, of perspective, and a slice of human compassion. and a soft pretzel as a bonus!
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If you visit Philly, it’s a must stop. That and a cheesesteak…
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absolutely!
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Dude. YES. I am ADDICTED to their breakfast burritos. I love Wawa so, so much. ❤
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It’s a Philly thing!
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Indeed! 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed the soft pretzel. Other than wearing a mask which I loathe, I don’t mind being out in the world.
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It feels good to be out in public!
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I have never heard of this chain, Jim, but I fully appreciate what you are saying about returning to our new normal. Much better than the past few months and I also feel more positive now that things are moving forward.
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I did feel a strong sense of optimism simply walking through Wawa…
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A bittersweet post but WaWa sounds like a wonderful place… if ever I end up in the area, I’ll be sure to look it up
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And be sure to get a Philly cheesesteak…
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I look forward to that time… 😁
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Thanks for this lovely introduction to Wawa. Now – if I’m ever in Philly 🙂
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If you’re ever in Philly, You’ve got to try a cheesecake as well.
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I’ve heard. 🙂
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Jim, you dare my love of bread with a soft pretzel. Thank goodness I am hundreds of miles away from a Wawa. I have visited a Wawa or two on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
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yes, the good old Philly soft pretzel. It’s been a staple of my diet for over 50 years…
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