Wawa opens doors on first Georgia location in Bainbridge
Published 11:06 am Monday, November 18, 2024
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Yet another new business has opened its doors in Bainbridge, this one a first not just for the city but the state as well. Wawa, a chain of gas and convenience stores, opened its first Georgia location in Bainbridge on Thursday morning. This store is just the first in a push by the chain to expand its market, particularly in Georgia, with stores in Brunswick and Jesup scheduled to open by the end of the year, and other locations in Albany, Valdosta, and Waycross scheduled to open next year.
Several members of Wawa company leadership spoke at the event, while store employees displayed signs illustrating the company’s extensive history. The Bainbridge High School band and cheerleaders also performed at the event.
Mayor Pro Tem Kregg Close spoke at the event. “I just want to say thank you for choosing Bainbridge as your first store in Georgia, we feel it is an honor,” he said.
County Commissioenr Pete Stephens also spoke. “We are proud to have Wawa, and Decatur County being the first in the state of Georgia,” he said. “Thank y’all for coming, thank y’all for being here, we’re really gonna love the tax money you’re gonna produce here,” he joked.
The morning’s event also pitted Bainbridge Public Safety and the fire department against each other in a hoagie building contest. Wawa also made financial contributions to and announced partnerships with local non-profit groups, including the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Second Harvest of South Georgia. Donations were also made to local law enforcement, including a $1,000 donation to Bainbridge Public Safety for the Christmas for Kids program.
Free t-shirts were offered to the first 250 customers, and any size hot coffee will be free from November 14 to November 24.
