Wawa forced to close 2 stores in its ‘hometown’ Philadelphia because of safety issues
Wawa closed two stores in downtown Philadelphia due to safety concerns, according to local news reports.
The chain announced the impending closures of its convenience stores in Center City Philadelphia — the 12th and Market Street location and the 19th and Market Street location — on Oct. 13, WPVI reported at the time.
Wawa told CBS News that “continued safety and security challenges and business factors have made it increasingly difficult to remain open in these two locations.”
The location at 19th and Market closed for business on Saturday, Oct. 22, CBS News reported. The 12th and Market location closed Sunday, Oct. 23, staff told McClatchy News.
Last month, another Wawa store in Philadelphia was ransacked by 100 teenagers. More recently, a Wawa employee was pepper-sprayed during a robbery at a store in University City, CBS News reported.
“We are very sorry we can’t be there for our friends and neighbors at these two locations,” Wawa said in its initial statement to Patch, “but we continue to serve the community from our other nearby stores and our commitment to the greater region remains strong,”
“Philadelphia is our hometown and that’s something that will never change,” Wawa said, according to Patch.
Wawa did not respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment.
Wawa also ended overnight service at at least nine other area locations, two in Philadelphia and seven in neighboring Bucks County, also due to safety concerns, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Oct. 21. These locations will be closed from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice, Wawa told the outlet.
Two locations with reduced hours experienced back-to-back armed robberies on Oct. 17 and 18, CBS News reported.
