OHIO – The iconic Delaware Valley, PA convenience store and gas station, Wawa, has officially planted its flag in Ohio, celebrating the grand opening of its first-ever Buckeye State location on April 16, 2025. The new store, situated at 7198 Cincinnati Dayton Road in Liberty Township (Butler County), marks a significant milestone in Wawa's expansion and is the first of nine Wawa stores slated to open across Ohio by the end of 2025.
The grand opening was a significant event, coinciding with "Wawa Day" – the company's 61st anniversary in the convenience retail business. Hundreds of enthusiastic customers, local officials, first responders, and community partners joined Wawa for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a "Parade of Wawa history," and the brand's popular "Hoagies for Heroes" hoagie-building competition, which pitted the Butler County Sheriff's Office against the Liberty Township Fire Department.
To celebrate its Ohio debut and its anniversary, Wawa offered free, any-size hot coffee all day at its over 1,100 stores, with the new Liberty Township location extending the free coffee offer through April 27. The first 250 customers at the new Ohio store also received limited-edition "Ohio Grand Opening Tour" t-shirts.
"We're thrilled to fly into Ohio and bring our unique combination of fresh food and beverage, convenience, and service to new friends and neighbors in the Buckeye State," said Brian Schaller, President of Wawa. "This historic milestone kicks off the next chapter of our growth in the Midwest, and we're overjoyed at the warm welcome we continue to receive."
The Wawa Foundation also made its presence known, announcing a $5,000 grant to the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region and another $5,000 to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Additionally, a "Lending a Helping Hoagie" campaign was launched, dedicating a portion of the first week's hoagie sales (up to $5,000) from the new store to benefit Freestore Foodbank.
Tom Farrell, President of the Liberty Township Board of Trustees, expressed his excitement: "Their decision to open their very first Ohio location right here is a testament to the strength of our community and the continued growth we're experiencing."
This Liberty Township store, managed by Tyler Morrow and employing 35 associates, is just the beginning for Wawa in Ohio. The company plans to open four to ten new stores per year in the state, aiming for 45 to 55 stores across Ohio over the next decade. Each new store represents an investment of over $7.5 million and is expected to create approximately 35 new jobs, totaling around 2,000 long-term positions as the expansion continues.
Ohioans can now look forward to experiencing Wawa's renowned, freshly prepared foods, extensive beverage selection, signature coffee, fuel services, and surcharge-free ATMs, which have made it a beloved brand in its existing ten-state operating area.
