Wawa breaks ground on first Kentucky stores

Dennis Hagel poses with the Wawa bird during the groundbreaking for the future Wawa site at Preston Crossing Blvd on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - © Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Move over, Buc-ees! Another gas station giant is coming to Kentucky. Today, Wawa is breaking ground on stores in Nicholasville and Louisville, which should open in about a year.

The popular Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain is expanding south, with plans to open 160 stores across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana over the next 8-10 years. Forty of those will be in the Bluegrass State, starting with 3013 Lexington Road (U.S. 27) in Nicholasville, 9650 Preston Crossing Boulevard in Louisville, and 4313 Bardstown Road in Louisville. Those are supposed to open by the end of the second quarter of 2025, the company announced today. More than 20 sites are under contract in Boone, Bullitt, Campbell, Fayette, Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Oldham, Scott, Shelby, Simpson, and Warren counties.

Wawa is basically the Buc-ees of the north, albeit without the gargantuan stores. In addition to normal gas station fare, it offers a huge variety of fresh food, including made-to-order hoagies and hot breakfast “Sizzli” sandwiches. It’s also famous for clean bathrooms, good gas prices, and free air for your tires. Forbes ranked Wawa No. 12 in their Halo 100 list of brands that consumers love.

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Today’s groundbreaking ceremony in Louisville included appearances by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, stakeholders, staff, and even Wally Goose, the Wawa mascot. Free samples and merchandise were free for all.

Many Wawa’s will be opening over the course of the next year in Kentucky including one at Preston Crossing Blvd on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. – © Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

In other gas station news, I’m happy to report the Buc-ees in Smith’s Grove is nearing completion. The 53,000+ square-foot travel center looked almost done when I passed by last week. It’s expected to open later this summer and will be a welcome stop on my frequent trips to and from Lexington.

So, Buc-ees or Wawa? Or just both.