The seventh of the Pennsylvania-based fuel and convenience store operator’s locations in the sunshine state, opened on Monday (7 January 2013), with 25 more scheduled to open in the Orlando/Tampa area in 2013.
Like the six sunshine state locations that opened last year, Wawa’s latest store in Apopka features a design intended to reflect the language and style associated with Floridian vernacular architecture. Exterior characteristics include pastel colors, clapboard siding, pitched roofs and front porches that reference historic south and central Florida building types. The design also pays careful attention to landscaping, allowing the fuel islands and store to blend with its verdant surroundings.

Once inside, customers will immediately notice the vibrant red-tiled wall placed front and centre highlighting the new centre island kitchen where fresh hoagie rolls will be baked-off daily. The food preparation area also incorporates a full-service specialty beverage section where customers can order more than 20 custom-made varieties of hot drinks, espressos, Chai teas and lattes, as well as more than 20 varieties of smoothies and frozen beverages. Guests can order any specialty drink or sandwich exactly the way they want using Wawa’s touch screen system, with a series of screens prominently positioned at the kitchen/specialty beverage area’s counters.

The counter area is immediately adjoined by coffee and fountain beverage sections with a backdrop of a warmer taupe wall tile. Red drum shades are used over the coffee area and at the beverage coolers (positioned on the opposite side of the foodservice/specialty drink counter) to create a sense of place. Overall, Wawa’s new prototype is characterised by a spacious open layout, with high ceilings and abundant natural lighting contributing to the comfortable and inviting space.

New York City-based CBX worked with Wawa to create the fresh, new prototype store. CBX created a new colour and materials palette emphasising natural stone, several types of tile, hard rock maple laminate (a creamy white with a reddish tinge) for modular fixtures and shelving, and gleaming copper accents. Elements were selected for their ability to contribute to the store’s warm and welcoming aura while complementing the look and feel of the sunshine state.

“We are thrilled to be doing business in Florida and look forward to setting a new standard of quality and appetising convenience for Floridians,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa President.

Wawa currently operates nearly 600 stores in five Mid-Atlantic states, 300+ of which offer fuel. The chain is revered equally for its wide variety of coffee and smoothies, fresh salads and built-to-order hoagies, as well as its fast and friendly service, available all day, every day.

CBX: provided design expertise for Wawa's Florida market entrance.

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