Wawat’s The Hold Up? Latest Update on MoCo’s First Wawa Location

We first let you know the news of Wawa’s first planned MoCo location in May of 2019.  Since then, the first MoCo Royal Farms was announced, constructed, and opened in Gaithersburg. Recently, the first MoCo Sheetz location was announced. So what’s the hold up with Wawa?

The convenience store/gas station will be taking over the old Becraft Antiques location on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School at 405 S Frederick Ave. Nearly 3 years after its announcement, in March 2022, fencing went up and the building was demolished has in preparation for construction start. Construction appeared to be imminent, but hasn’t begun nearly 5 months after demolition. Today we were informed that the City of Gaithersburg is waiting for a resubmission from Wawa. The final site plan was previously approved by the Planning Commission on December 1, 2021, so it appears that the ball is in Wawa’s court. Construction for the recently opened Royal Farms location in Gaithersburg took just under one year from start to opening day, so we still expect a 2023 opening for Wawa if construction begins this year.

History: On December 1st, 2021, Wawa was granted approval for its final site plan of a new 5,060 square foot retail building and associated automobile filling station (gas station) by the City of Gaithersburg’s Planning Commission.This came after public opposition to the site led to the development being stalled after a group of 14 community members filed an administrative appeal in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. The opponents of the site had stated that the Wawa does not align with MoCo’s master plan and would generate traffic and noise annoyances for residents in the surrounding areas. In April of 2021, Judge Donald Beachley struck down the appeal, clearing the way for development to begin.

In addition to the convenience store, Wawa’s plan includes six double sided filling stations and is covered with a 5,280 square foot metal canopy. The metal canopy is proposed to be located approximately 92 feet from the South Frederick Avenue right-of- way. Additionally, the canopy is 71 feet from the west property line, and 43 feet from the east property line. The sloped canopy has a maximum height of approximately twenty-five (25) feet. In addition, there will be:

• New right-in/right-out entrance along South Frederick Avenue/MD 355
• New entrance to the east of the property which will connect to an existing drive aisle on the Holbrook property (421 South Frederick Avenue). This will provide access to the signalized intersection.
• Sidewalk connections to the east and west of the property.