The nation’s capital will soon welcome the first in a wave of Wawa stores, as the Delaware County-based chain is expanding into Washington, D.C., writes Rebecca Cooper for the Washington Business Journal.

Led by CEO Chris Gheysens, Wawa recently presented its ambitious plans in front of a group of real estate industry officials in the Newseum.

Gheysens said that the first D.C. Wawa is should be open by the end of this year, followed by five to ten more stores over the next two years. Within five years, he said, the chain plans to double that number, and ultimately open up to 50 stores in the region.

The first D.C. store will be the biggest Wawa yet, spanning more than 9,000 square feet in the central business district. It will also have a more upscale look than its roadside counterparts, with exposed brick, subway tile, and natural wood tones.

For future stores in the D.C. area, Wawa is already looking at busy urban streets with available space of 5,000-7,500 square feet and weekly foot traffic of more than 50,000 people.

Read more about Wawa’s expansion in the Washington Business Journal by clicking here.