By SHAUN SMITH
Staff Writer

SOMERS POINT – On Friday, June 13 throngs of Wawa fans came out for a day of free coffee and cake. The cause for celebration: Wawa’s landmark 250th location that offers gasoline services.

The ribbon was cut at the new store on New Road and Ocean Heights Avenue at 10 a.m. with help from Mayor Jack Glasser and Police Capt. Mike Boyd. Afterward, everyone was invited for free coffee, cake and samples of Wawa hoagies for the rest of the day.

“This is great,” said general manager Andy Holman. “Opening a brand-new store is very exciting.” Holman said that replacing the old store with an all-new store with gas pumps was the right move for the company and one that offers added convenience for customers.

He said concerns that the new store might cause congestion at the busy intersection of Bethel and New Roads have been addressed.

“I don’t think the flow of traffic will be a problem,” he said.

“The city changed some traffic patterns and everything has been running smoothly this morning.”

The new store required 20 additional positions, bringing the total employed at the store to 50. Associates were greeted on Friday with a pep rally following the grand opening ceremony.

“It really brings people together,” said Christine McCarthy, Wawa communications and events specialist. “We’re like a family here, and we like to do something special for our associates to get them excited for this new store.”

McCarthy took charge of the microphone to ask Wawa trivia questions and tossed the company mascot, Wally Goose, beanbags and T-shirts to an enthusiastic group excited about their first day of work.

The store features a new interior layout and color palette, and up to 12 cars at a time can gas up at the pumps.