Plans for a Super Wawa Along Delaware River Dropped Amid Opposition

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An above view map showing the location of a proposed Super Wawa on South Columbus Blvd. in Philadelphia.
Image via MSC Retail.
An above view map showing the location of a proposed Super Wawa on South Columbus Blvd. in Philadelphia.

A super Wawa store fronting the Delaware River along South Columbus Blvd. in Philadelphia is out, writes Natalie Kostelni for Philadelphia Business Journal.

Developer Bart Blatstein will instead build an expanded retail center.

 “The market needs more retail and I’m going to scrap the Wawa plan and do more retail,” he said. “The economics are better.”

There were setbacks to the Wawa plan at 1401 S. Columbus Blvd.

The proposed super Wawa had been rejected by neighborhood groups, governing authorities, City Council members, and an organization overseeing development of the waterfront.

Most didn’t want a convenience store with gas pumps where residential use is growing and where people are trying to become more pedestrian-friendly.

In July 2020, the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment ruled against the proposal.

Blatstein has a 46,000 square-foot Giant store in place at the property, which opened in December.

The goal now is to create a 42,000-square-foot grocery-anchored retail center. A groundbreaking is expected in the spring.

All of the retail space is nearly fully leased, Blatstein said  Uses will align with the grocery store and serve the Pennsport neighborhood.  

Read more at Philadelphia Business Journal about the decision not to build a Wawa on South Columbus Blvd.

This June 2021 video celebrates the opening of a Wawa stadium store in Philadelphia, the first to sell beer in the city.

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