WAWA OPENS BIG WITH MORNING PARTY, AND FREE COFFEE

In what was arguably the biggest grand opening of any new business in Maplewood in a while, Wawa Market opened its long-awaited doors Friday morning with a big celebration that rivaled some national holidays.

Wawa corporate officials mixed with local public officials and the store's staff to welcome customers to the food market/convenience store/gas station at Springfield Avenue and Jacoby Street.

See some of the video highlights below, which included a musical introduction to the store workers, charitable contributions by Wawa, and a sandwich-making competition:



The 24-hour store will employ 40 local workers and is the first Wawa in Essex County.

And, most importantly, the store will be giving away free coffee to all customers for the next 10 days, through Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

The Township Committee approved several changes to the existing zoning for the area to allow Wawa, including an exemption from the previous limits on gasoline sales that had been restricted to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wawa will be allowed 24-hour gasoline sales, as it does at all of its stores.

It will be the fifth 24-hour store in town, along with the Quik Chek just down the street and the three 7-11's in town.