DRASTIC MEASURES: Wawa shuttering two stores as Dem-run city faces retail crime surge
The Philadelphia Police Department released footage showing dozens of youths ransacking a Wawa location in September.Wawa emphasized the store closures do not diminish the company's ongoing commitment to serve the Philadelphia community. The Pennsylvania-based chain said it would continue to monitor and work with local authorities to address challenges impacting operations at its other stores.
"It is our hope to repurpose these two locations to further benefit Philadelphia. To that end, we have initiated a review of options and are exploring possibilities with our partners, the community and local officials," the company added. "We are very sorry we can’t be there for our friends and neighbors at these two locations, but we continue to serve the community from our other nearby stores and our commitment to the greater region remains strong.
Despite the commitment, Democratic city councilman Mike Driscoll, who represents Northeast Philadelphia, recently suggested Wawa is considering halting its expansion plans in the city due to the crime situation. A City Hall spokesperson told FOX Business that city officials has been talking with Wawa leadership about the challenges facing the company and will continue to support Wawa and its broader business community.
"The City's Department of Commerce, along with our economic development partners, are working to ensure the city attracts more businesses, not just in Center City but throughout all of our neighborhoods," the spokesperson added. "These businesses provide critical goods and services while offering jobs for Philadelphians. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, thriving neighborhood commercial corridors are central to keeping Philadelphia economically competitive.
Philadelphia's Department of Commerce engaged with 147 international companies in 2021 alone, according to the city. Wawa operates more than 950 convenience retail stores. In addition to Pennsylvania, the company's stores are located in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
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