Wawa’s First Convenience Store in North Carolina is Scheduled to Open in Kill Devil Hills
Introduction and Overview
Big things are on the horizon for residents and visitors of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The town is ready to usher in the grand opening of the city’s very first Wawa convenience store and gas station located on N. Croatan Highway. According to the plan unveiled by the popular convenience store chain, the doors will officially open at 8 a.m. on May 16. This highly anticipated new store is the first of many Wawa stores planned to appear across North Carolina, marking the start of Wawa’s 10-year expansion into the state.
Key Statistics and Information
The Wawa store in Kill Devil Hills is no small venture, boasting 6,000 square feet of retail space, along with eight gas pumps and 52 parking spaces. It’s also reported that two underground tanks will be included in the construction, according to the site plans filed with the Town of Kill Devil Hills. This is all part of Wawa’s significant investments into North Carolina, with plans to spend approximately $7 million per store.
Wawa’s Expansion Across North Carolina
Wawa’s entry into the North Carolina market is a milestone event. The Kill Devil Hills location will be the first of 80 planned stores across the state. Wawa has already confirmed the opening of another store in Elizabeth City within this same year.
The construction of each store is expected to provide employment to an average of 140 local contractors and partners. Once the stores are in operation, it’s projected that each location will hire approximately 35 employees. Overall, Wawa’s entry into the North Carolina market is hoping to generate more than 2,800 new jobs.
The Wawa Legacy
As a family and employee-owned Pennsylvania-based company, Wawa has steadily grown its retail presence in six states and Washington, D.C, operating over 1,000 stores. The chain got its unique name from the town where it began its first dairy operation—Wawa, Pennsylvania—in 1902. The meaning of “Wawa” is said to be a Native American word for Canada goose.
Residents can now look forward to the convenience and quality services Wawa is known for, including their fresh food service, where they prepare made-to-order subs, specialty beverages, and an array of other food options.
Conclusion and Future Expectations
The forthcoming opening of the Wawa convenience store and gas station in Kill Devil Hills kicks off a significant development plan for the residence and businesses of North Carolina. With more openings planned throughout the year and many more over the next decade, Wawa’s presence in the state marks a valuable contribution to employment, commerce, and consumer convenience.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
