Wawa continues to close stores in Philadelphia because they are not able to provide the same ‘in-store experience’ that customer’s expect…right

Wawa continues to announce closings within city limits of Philadelphia but this time, they are saying the store on 16th and Ranstead is the next to fall because it was simply a pilot test of a smaller urban store concept which hurt the brand’s “in-store experience” that customers typically expect.

Shoutout Kevin Kinead from Crossing Broad who snagged this from Tom Ignudo at Eyewitness News:

Another Wawa in Philadelphia is closing after multiple stores stopped operating in the city over the past few years. 

On Thursday, Wawa said the store located at 16th and Ranstead streets in Center City will close on Dec. 9 due to the store’s limited size. The store is located just west of City Hall and between Market and Chestnut streets. 

“Our 16th and Ranstead store initially opened in 2020 as a pilot test of a smaller urban store concept, which also included a walk-up window,” Wawa said in a statement to CBS Philadelphia. “However, due to its limited size, we have determined that we are not able to provide the same kind of in-store experience and full Wawa offer that customers expect.” 

No arguments here. A Wawa that cannot deliver on their promise for a pleasant “in-store experience” is nothing more than a 711 or typical gas station convenience store. Without it, then there’s really no reason to stay in operation.

I just wish Wawa would sack-up and say what they really mean. It comes as no surprise that literally no one is getting the full Wawa Effect when city locations are being raided on a daily basis by packs of unruly kids, cars are stolen in broad daylight at the gas pumps, and there are homeless people trying to shake you down for your last penny every time you try to enter the store. I don’t know why that’s such a controversial take on the topic, ya know?

WATCH: Wawa in Mayfair gets DESTROYED by out of control teens on Saturday Night

Pretty clever way to outline the difficulties of providing that “in-store experience.” I would have went with something along the lines of…

“Have you ever been to a Wawa in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania? How about in Philadelphia? The customer experience gap between both locations are way too far to bridge so we’re going to have to shut down the problem locations and focus on the other ones.”

There’s a reason why Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are both pushing suburb Wawas and not the ones in places like Mayfair. In fact, I bet the only people that are still going to Wawa’s in the city are people like that kid who collected order slips 0-999. Absolute freak shows, right? 

(Kidding, I admire the dedication from our guy Tyler. Still a freak show. Both can be true)

• Kyle Schwarber partners with Wawa, announces ‘The Schwarbomb’ drink which should lead to a vodka partnership immediately
• Major League Baseball fined Bryce Harper for custom Wawa cleats- a closer look at his ongoing battle for creativity on the field

Man in the Arena: Wawa’s most loyal customer collects every order slip number from 0 to 999

Anyways, the point here is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being honest.

I had this conversation with a girl last night about the if Aliens exist (classic) and explained that I would find it really hard to believe that human life on earth is the most advanced in the entire universe and beyond. She responded by saying, that she had been to the Walmart in South Philly and is very confident that we are not, in fact, the most advanced species in the universe. 

Same applies here with city Wawa’s compared to ones out in the suburbs. Different company. Same result. Also shoutout me for working this girl into an article. Make sure to comment below how amazing I am so I can really impress her.

I’m aware it also could be the last time we ever speak after she reads this but hey, that’s showbiz baby. Live and die by the sword.

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