SARASOTA, Fla. — Wawa is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary by opening a new location this Friday in Sarasota, officials announced in a news release.
The grand opening for the new store, located at 7707 24th Court East, will reportedly feature free 60th Anniversary T-shirts for the first 100 customers, free any size hot coffee, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Festivities for the event will start at 7:45 a.m. before Wawa General Manager Barton Giese officially opens the new store's doors at 8 a.m., officials said.
At 8:30 a.m., customers will also get a chance to participate in a ceremonial toast with remarks about the impact Wawa has on its community. In addition, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and Manatee County Fire Rescue will face off in the store's signature Hoagies for Heroes sandwich-building competition, officials said.
The celebration will wrap up with an official ribbon cutting by Wawa mascot Wally Goose, complete with oversized scissors and confetti.
"Wawa is proud to open its doors to provide trusted quality products, convenience, new jobs, support, and to fulfill lives in the community," store officials said in the release. "The event will celebrate new associates and customers and simple gestures, like holding the door for one another, that together make a big difference in making Wawa’s family-like store atmosphere possible."
Appearances at Friday's event include Director of Store Operations Nancy Dulaney and Wawa Area Manager Mike Liles, officials said.
