Wawa plans to open 3 Jacksonville-area stores on the same day in November

Wawa held two groundbreaking events Thursday in Northeast Florida, marking the official beginning of construction on stores in the area.

The first event was held at the future location at Town Center and Gate parkways near the St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville and the second was held in Orange Park at Blanding Boulevard and Filmore Street.

Photos: Wawa groundbreaking event in Jacksonville near St. Johns Town Center

Pennsylvania-based Wawa is known for serving hoagies, freshly brewed coffee and soups, sides and snacks. Customers can customize their orders at touch-screen kiosks in the store, then pick up their meal or drink from the counter. Ready-made food is also available in Wawa stores.

Wawa officials said at the event that the tentative plan is to hold grand openings for three stores -- at Town Center and Gate parkways, Blanding Boulevard and Filmore Street in Orange Park and Wilson Boulevard and Lane Avenue in Jacksonville on the same day in November.

Projected opening dates for other future locations in Duval and Clay counties were also announced Thursday:

-Argyle Forest Boulevard and Old Middleburg Road in Jacksonville, spring 2018
-Beach Boulevard and Central Parkway in Jacksonville, spring 2018
-Blanding Boulevard and Henley Road in Middleburg, spring 2018
-Beach and Southside boulevards, Jacksonville, summer 2018
-Park Avenue and Wells Road, Orange Park, summer 2018

The company plans to open 25 to 35 stores in the greater Jacksonville area, according to Wawa president and CEO Chris Gheysens.

Other projected Wawa sites include two in Clay County and one in East Arlington, and the company is looking for suitable sites in St. Johns County.

Wawa first entered Florida in July 2012 and has since opened 115 stores in Florida, including locations in the Tampa, Orlando, Daytona, Southwest Florida, South Florida and Treasure Coast areas.

Cox Media Group