The story of Wawa dates back to 1902, when George Wood, a businessman from New Jersey, moved to Delaware County, Pennsylvania and opened the Wawa dairy farm. Wood imported cows from the British Crown island of Guernsey and purchased 400 ha of land in the Chester Heights area; the corporate headquarters would later be renamed Wawa. Because pasteurization was not yet available, many children became ill from consuming raw milk. Wood ordered doctors to certify that his milk was hygienic and safe for consumption, convincing many consumers to buy the product.
This strategy worked and allowed the Wawa dairy to grow. Demand for dairy products grew rapidly during the 1920s, as did the company. Wawa began using the motto Buy Health by the Bottle; they served customers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, delivering milk to customers' homes. This was the beginning of a long journey that would eventually lead to the opening of the first Wawa store in April 1964 in Folsom, Pennsylvania. The first Wawa food market opened on April 16, 1964 in Folsom, Pennsylvania, and remained in operation until June of last year, when it was replaced by a modern “Super Wawa” across the street. This new store is a testament to how far Wawa has come since its humble beginnings as a dairy farm.
It now serves customers across six states with over 800 stores and is one of the most recognizable convenience store brands in the United States. Today, Wawa is still committed to providing quality products and services to its customers. The company has expanded its offerings beyond dairy products to include fresh food, coffee, fuel, and more. It also offers online ordering and delivery services for customers who want convenience without sacrificing quality. Wawa continues to be a leader in convenience store innovation and customer service.
