Wawa Pulls Out of Absecon Site Once Targeted By Royal Farms

There's been another setback in Absecon's plan to bring a combination convenience store/gas station to the intersection of Rt. 9 and the White Horse Pike.

Absecon Council President Rich DeRose posted Sunday on the Absecon Facebook page with the news that Wawa has changed its mind about building a super Wawa at the former firehouse location on Rt. 30.

Saying he was limited in the information he could legally give about the situation, DeRose said that Wawa seemed committed to building on the site until the last minute.

"Wawa was committed to Absecon until late last minute our zoning office was informed that Wawa was pulling out of their commitment to the new site.

 

Please know it has nothing to do with Absecon or actions by Absecon. Major blow to that site and we're upset and disappointed. That said, we won't allow this setback to go unchecked."

DeRose went on to say that Mayor Tommy Marrone has requested a meeting with the site's developer to better understand Wawa's decision and to express the city's commitment to opening a successful business at the location.

Site of Former Absecon Firehouse

Absecon's old firehouse at 400 White Horse Pike was demolished in 2021 in preparation for a Royal Farms convenience store and gas station.

The property was then sold to another developer, Verrichia Company, based in Doylestown, PA, and shortly after that, the Royal Farms deal was nixed.

Then talks began with Wawa.

The latest plan called for a super Wawa to be open on the site by this spring. That plan never got off the ground.

Now, given Council President DeRose's social media post, it looks like it's back to the drawing board.

As much as this hurts, myself, council and the mayor are full speed ahead on fixing this wrong. Have ideas? Send them our way. In this together as a community.