So now that is a total of 3 places that has closed down on Market Street between 11th and 13th (Wall: apartment, home)

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Duderino

Can confirm living out of the area now that absence of Wawa certainly makes the heart grow fonder. There's nothing in New England that even remotely approximates Wawa's convenience, value and options; I'll say that much.

But yes, I don't think anyone in Center City is shedding any tears because they can't as easily participate in "Hoagiefest."

I don't think longtime freelancer Josh Kruger is upset that he can't get cheap Shortis, but he does think that maybe Philadelphians should divorce themselves from Wawa since not only is the chain divorcing itself from Center City by and large but also opening stores in places as crime-ridden as Philadelphia or even worse.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I don't think longtime freelancer Josh Kruger is upset that he can't get cheap Shortis, but he does think that maybe Philadelphians should divorce themselves from Wawa since not only is the chain divorcing itself from Center City by and large but also opening stores in places as crime-ridden as Philadelphia or even worse.

That was a dumb article...

1. How are homicide rates relevant to Wawa closures? Wawa's close because of disorderly people and shoplifting. The daughter of my dad's longtime friend works for Wawa corporate and she said the Broad/Walnut location had the highest shoplifting rate of any Wawa store...

2. All Wawas in Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Miami Gardens are suburban style gas stations, not an apt comparison to Center City Philadelphia.

3. Wawa closed 2 downtown DC locations for similar reasons, not mentioned.

4. He bashes Wawa as a corporate behemoth and then defends 7-11? Wawa food is meh, but still edible.

5. He is upset that Wawa sponsors the 4th of July fireworks? So if Wawa backs out, who foots the bill? I'm sure he would complain about that too.

I am not a Wawa defender besides the convenience, but was that a clicks for a paycheck article or meant to be tongue and cheek?

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by cpomp

That was a dumb article...

1. How are homicide rates relevant to Wawa closures? Wawa's close because of disorderly people and shoplifting. The daughter of my dad's longtime friend works for Wawa corporate and she said the Broad/Walnut location had the highest shoplifting rate of any Wawa store...

2. All Wawas in Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Miami Gardens are suburban style gas stations, not an apt comparison to Center City Philadelphia.

3. Wawa closed 2 downtown DC locations for similar reasons, not mentioned.

4. He bashes Wawa as a corporate behemoth and then defends 7-11? Wawa food is meh, but still edible.

5. He is upset that Wawa sponsors the 4th of July fireworks? So if Wawa backs out, who foots the bill? I'm sure he would complain about that too.

I am not a Wawa defender besides the convenience, but was that a clicks for a paycheck article or meant to be tongue and cheek?

Actually, item 4 on your list explains why Wawa hauls in more revenue than 7-Eleven.

I'd take a passable Wawa Shorti hoagie over anything on 7-Eleven's roller grill any day. The pizza slices and chicken wings are no better, either.

I do remember that the Broad and Walnut location was a s**tshow in the wee smalls. Wawa tried to deal with the problem by first adopting 7 am to 11 pm operating hours (those sound familiar?) before closing down.

But I don't think his point about 7-Eleven vs. Wawa in Center City is completely invalid. After all, the former hasn't closed any Center City stores I'm aware of save for one in the 1000 block of Market Street. Now, given that there were two Wawas within a block of the still-open 12th and Chestnut store, maybe Wawa was also cannibalizing itself. But in that case, why close both stores? If 7-Eleven can deal with the conditions in the area, why can't Wawa?*

Basically, Wawa has closed all the stores it opened in its "return to Center City" save the Independence Mall biggest-Wawa-in-the-country location, and it's now closed one of the three legacy stores still open. The other two — in Jefferson Barringer Residence Hall in the 900 block of Walnut and in the 1600 block of Arch Street across from the Comcast Center's back door — remain in business. So does one that's technically outside Center City but still considered part of it, in the 2000 block of Hamilton Street.

*One difference that may explain things is that 7-Eleven stores are franchised while just about every Wawa is company-owned. Still, what this likely means is that a few years down the road, after things have calmed down, Wawa returns to Center City yet again.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Actually, item 4 on your list explains why Wawa hauls in more revenue than 7-Eleven.

I'd take a passable Wawa Shorti hoagie over anything on 7-Eleven's roller grill any day. The pizza slices and chicken wings are no better, either.

I do remember that the Broad and Walnut location was a s**tshow in the wee smalls. Wawa tried to deal with the problem by first adopting 7 am to 11 pm operating hours (those sound familiar?) before closing down.

But I don't think his point about 7-Eleven vs. Wawa in Center City is completely invalid. After all, the former hasn't closed any Center City stores I'm aware of save for one in the 1000 block of Market Street. Now, given that there were two Wawas within a block of the still-open 12th and Chestnut store, maybe Wawa was also cannibalizing itself. But in that case, why close both stores? If 7-Eleven can deal with the conditions in the area, why can't Wawa?*

Basically, Wawa has closed all the stores it opened in its "return to Center City" save the Independence Mall biggest-Wawa-in-the-country location, and it's now closed one of the three legacy stores still open. The other two — in Jefferson Barringer Residence Hall in the 900 block of Walnut and in the 1600 block of Arch Street across from the Comcast Center's back door — remain in business. So does one that's technically outside Center City but still considered part of it, in the 2000 block of Hamilton Street.

*One difference that may explain things is that 7-Eleven stores are franchised while just about every Wawa is company-owned. Still, what this likely means is that a few years down the road, after things have calmed down, Wawa returns to Center City yet again.

That's THE difference. Wawa stores are money generators and for Corporate and can come and go from locations to both maximize profits and minimize risk and possible litigation. 7-11s are fulltime jobs for local folks who bought into the franchise, so of course they're not going to up and fold. What else would they do for work and money?

I still stick with my "who the h@ll cares" position, however, for both brands.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

A

Basically, Wawa has closed all the stores it opened in its "return to Center City" save the Independence Mall...

And 22nd and South.

[FKD19124]

Don’t know why this is a total shock to anyone. Rising crime and a DAs office that refuses to lock up criminals.

Originally Posted by moneymkt

There was already two which was the Wawa on 12th and Market and District Taco in between 11th and 12th. Now its another place that has closed which I didnt find out until I decided to buy a coffee cake yesterday afternoon...."Starbucks" I honestly dont even walk down market street anymore between 10th and 13th because its just awful looking in addition to the homeless. I haven't given up on my favorite area yet in center city which is the washington square area........5th and chestnut to 9 and Chestnut.

[MPK21]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Actually, item 4 on your list explains why Wawa hauls in more revenue than 7-Eleven.

I'd take a passable Wawa Shorti hoagie over anything on 7-Eleven's roller grill any day. The pizza slices and chicken wings are no better, either.

I do remember that the Broad and Walnut location was a s**tshow in the wee smalls. Wawa tried to deal with the problem by first adopting 7 am to 11 pm operating hours (those sound familiar?) before closing down.

But I don't think his point about 7-Eleven vs. Wawa in Center City is completely invalid. After all, the former hasn't closed any Center City stores I'm aware of save for one in the 1000 block of Market Street. Now, given that there were two Wawas within a block of the still-open 12th and Chestnut store, maybe Wawa was also cannibalizing itself. But in that case, why close both stores? If 7-Eleven can deal with the conditions in the area, why can't Wawa?*

Basically, Wawa has closed all the stores it opened in its "return to Center City" save the Independence Mall biggest-Wawa-in-the-country location, and it's now closed one of the three legacy stores still open. The other two — in Jefferson Barringer Residence Hall in the 900 block of Walnut and in the 1600 block of Arch Street across from the Comcast Center's back door — remain in business. So does one that's technically outside Center City but still considered part of it, in the 2000 block of Hamilton Street.

*One difference that may explain things is that 7-Eleven stores are franchised while just about every Wawa is company-owned. Still, what this likely means is that a few years down the road, after things have calmed down, Wawa returns to Center City yet again.

7-Eleven in the 1800 Arch block closed; didn't the 7-11 across from City Hall (east side) close as well?

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by MPK21

7-Eleven in the 1800 Arch block closed; didn't the 7-11 across from City Hall (east side) close as well?

You're right, it did.

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

Don’t know why this is a total shock to anyone. Rising crime and a DAs office that refuses to lock up criminals.

All of a sudden Wawa's now the 'bad guy' for not wanting to deal with our precious Center City. Bad Wawa! Classic.

No, their hoagies aren't on par with the $13 specialty shops, but they're just fine. Their meatball sandwiches(all their sandwiches really), wraps, soups, hot dogs and made to order breakfast sandwiches are all very good. Some locations are better than others, as to be expected.

[FKD19124]

The thing is I don’t know why people expect businesses to put up with crime that goes unpunished. I wouldn’t open a business in CC or anywhere in Philadelphia period.

Originally Posted by Hermit12

All of a sudden Wawa's now the 'bad guy' for not wanting to deal with our precious Center City. Bad Wawa! Classic.

No, their hoagies aren't on par with the $13 specialty shops, but they're just fine. Their meatball sandwiches(all their sandwiches really), wraps, soups, hot dogs and made to order breakfast sandwiches are all very good. Some locations are better than others, as to be expected.