Wawa continues its convenience store expansion with a new location on Maynard Street in Williamsport, PA, writes Melissa Farenish for NorthcentralPA.com.

This time, the new store will be within walking distance of 4,000 Penn College students. It will also be about a half-mile from its competitor, Sheetz.

The store will open at Maynard Commons across from the college, according to M. Jon Jahanshahi, president of the development firm Famvest Partners.

The property was the former Williamsport Foundry, but the site has been vacant for at least six years.

Developers also hope to bring a fast-food restaurant to the 6.5-acre site, with room for two more potential tenants.

Famvest has stated that opening the Wawa and other businesses at the site would have a $31 million impact in the Williamsport area, creating nearly 100 permanent jobs and 50 temporary construction jobs.

Famvest, based in State College, recently purchased the Lycoming Mall.

Wawa also submitted plans to open a location in Kelly Township near Lewisburg as well as a store in Centre County. 

Wawa has a plan to double the number of its stores in central Pennsylvania in the next three to five years.

Read more about the new Wawa coming near Penn College in Williamsport in NorthcentralPA.com.

Williamsport, PA has the world’s largest portrait mural called “Inspiration Lycoming County,” painted by artist Michael Pilato.