BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For months, UPS truck driver Abu Bility has made the drive from Philadelphia to Bethlehem to make a pick up.
As he would turn onto Route 412 each day, Bility said, he hoped to stop for a quick pick-me-up for himself before heading to the nearby QVC warehouse.
Bility said that as he drove each day, he would look to his left, frown and wonder: When will that Wawa open?
Forget Dec. 25. For Bility, a native of Liberia, Christmas came early on Thursday morning.
“I have been waiting and waiting for the Wawa to open because I love their coffee.”Abu Bility, UPS driver
“I have been waiting and waiting for the Wawa to open because I love their coffee,” Bility said Thursday, holding a free 20-ounce cup aloft outside the grand opening of the Wawa on Hellertown Road.
“And now, it is here.”
Bility took a long sip, smiled and went on his way.
However, there were plenty of smiles to replace the one he took with him. Such is the case when patrons are offered a free coffee in conjunction with the grand opening.
“Free coffee — you can’t beat that,” Jamie Augustus of Bethlehem said. “It don’t matter if it’s free or not; I’ll be here filling up on my coffee every morning.”
Gassing up
Lots of fill-ups also were happening outside the convenience store Thursday. Each of the 16 gas pumps was being used. The surrounding parking lot was jammed, as well.
“People were lining up well before we opened just after 7 this morning,” said Lauren Lauth, general manager of the Wawa on Schoenersville Road, who was on hand to assist new employees.
“People love Wawa.”
“I’m back for another cup" of coffee.Sally Marcus of Bethlehem
Sally Marcus of Bethlehem was among the early risers who stood in line.
“I’m back for another cup" of coffee, she said.
“I love Wawa coffee. I used to live up near Wilkes-Barre where there was a Sheetz. Their coffee doesn’t compare.”
An added attraction at the new Wawa location is beer and liquor sales, along with seating for 30. It is among 24 stores statewide with such offerings and one of three in the Lehigh Valley.
Alcohol will be sold from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, with wine sales ending at 11 p.m.
On Sundays, alcohol will be available from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m., with wine sales ending at 11 p.m.
'A faithful following'
Wawa also distributed free T-shirts to the first 100 customers.
Shortly after the store opened, a hoagie-making contest was held between members of Bethlehem Fire Company and Bethlehem Police Department.
By making 30 hoagies, the police won the contest to see which team could make the most in three minutes.
Wawa presented each team with a $1,000 donation to the charity of its choice. The police chose Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, a domestic violence prevention nonprofit. The firefighters chose the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.
“Customers today told me they were watching it being built. They couldn’t wait for us to open. Wawa has a faithful following.”Store Manager Allison Mangle
Store Manager Allison Mangle said she was long being asked by area residents when the grand opening would be held.
“Customers today told me they were watching it being built,” she said. “They couldn’t wait for us to open. Wawa has a faithful following.”
For Gloria Garganta of Hellertown, the site on which the Wawa stands holds a special meaning.
“My late brother, John, used to own an Exxon gas station right here,” Garganta said. “He would love that something is built here that makes people happy.”
