A Wawa store in Richmond, Virginia. The company plans to add a location in Johnson County.
Provided photo
A Wawa convenience store could be coming to Greenwood although a lot is still up in the air.
Wawa, a Pennsylvania-based chain of more than 1,000 convenience retail stores, announced Thursday that they planned to open 60 new stores in Indiana, with the first stores opening in mid-2025. Among the planned stores is one in Johnson County, with reports indicating it will be in Greenwood.
The new stores are part of the family-owned chain’s plans for expansion. Currently, there are Wawa stores in six U.S. states —Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida — and Washington, D.C.
In recent weeks the company has announced plans for new stores in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Details on the Hoosier state’s new stores were announced Thursday during Wawa’s Community Partnership Day Tour in Indianapolis.
The new Indiana stores are expected to be opened over the next eight to 10 years, with groundbreakings starting next year. More than 16 sites are under contract in Johnson, Clark, Dearborn, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Madison, Marion and Wayne counties.
All of these stores, including Johnson County, are currently making their way through the permitting and approval process. Company officials said in a news release they will announce specific locations and estimated timing for the first store openings once these processes are complete.
But several news outlets, including Inside Indiana Business, a news-gathering partner of the Daily Journal, have reported more specific locations that are either under contract or about to be. This includes a reported store at U.S. 31 and East Worthsville Road in Greenwood.
Greenwood Mayor Myers confirmed that the city has been talking with Wawa, and that the area of U.S. 31 and East Worthsville Road was the area the company was looking at for a store. However, it is not a signed and sealed commitment as negotiations and communications with the land owner and Wawa are ongoing, he said Friday.
“We are waiting for them to get everything else signed. … (I) can’t confirm they are 100% coming here,” Myers said.
Statewide, the first store locations are projected to open by mid-2025, with plans to open up to 10 locations that year. Ten additional stores are planned to open in 2026 and five stores each year thereafter, Wawa representatives said.
To build each store, the chain will invest approximately $7 million and employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners. Once open, each store will employ an average of 35 associates, with the chain expecting to create more than 2,200 new jobs as a result of its expansion. Wawa associates own 39% of the company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, according to a news release.
“We can’t wait to begin putting shovels into the ground next year!” Joe Collins, director of store operations said in a news release. “As we get closer to our grand openings in 2025, we will be sharing even more details on our growth in Indiana and connecting with more customers, communities, partners and nonprofit organizations that together make this such an incredible region to be a part of!”
During the Community Partnership Day on Thursday in Indianapolis, Wawa officials introduced the chain to the community and met with “hundreds of new friends, neighbors and VIP customers.” They also met with local officials and partners, the company said in a news release.
Attendees got a look at new store design renderings and had the opportunity to learn more about the company and its commitment to communities, the news release said. They also were able to try some of Wawa’s products, including freshly made hoagies, fresh brewed coffee and other beverages.
The company also announced contributions to two regional community partners: Riley Children’s Hospital and Gleaners Food Bank, with contributions totaling $10,000. Additionally, they said they plan to continue to look for new sites throughout the market.
