More than four years after plans were announced, Wawa is open in the master-planned Wildlight community in Nassau County.
The Pennsylvania-based gas station and convenience store chain estimated 200 people were waiting in line when its doors opened July 11.
It is the county’s first Wawa and the 21st in Northeast Florida, according to its website.
The store is at 50 Daydream Drive off Florida 200 across from the Publix Super Markets-anchored Crossings at Wildlight shopping center.
“We had record-breaking crowds this morning,” said Wawa Director of Store Operations Karen Myers. “We are so happy to finally be in Nassau County. It’s been a long time coming.”
Wawa General Manager Michael Carragher said the Wildlight location was selected after its real estate team researched the area and met with community leaders.
“Wawa is very passionate about being a part of the community and being a community partner,” he said. “We’re looking forward to getting into Nassau County and being a part of the family.
“I absolutely see more stores in Nassau County. Our real estate team is working vigorously every day.”
The store was developed at a construction cost of $656,957. Tampa-based IConstructors was the general contractor. It has developed 14 other Wawa locations.
Aside from made-to-order food, coffee drinks and retail items, the Wildlight store has 16 fueling stations with 32 gas pumps and six charging points for electric vehicles.
The Wawa isn’t the only business to open in the Wildlight area.
A franchised Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders opened July 10 in the Crossings at Wildlight at 76020 William Burgess Blvd., Suite 1. It is the third in Northeast Florida joining stores in Mandarin and Jacksonville Beach.