Wawa pushing north

Two years ago, someone would have to be from eastern Pennsylvania to know what a Wawa is. But now, the convenience store chain is dominating Florida — especially the Tampa Bay market — as it continues its push north.

Wawa is talking with Pasco County officials to open its fourth location there, going its furthest north yet on State Road 52 and Kent Grove Drive in the Spring Hill area. Representatives from Bohler Engineering's Tampa office are set to discuss plans with county officials for the 5,600-square-foot store behind closed doors next week.

Last year, the Wawa, Pa.-based company says it planned to end 2014 with 56 stores in Florida -- 24 in the greater Tampa area, and 32 in Orlando. Its plans are to open 100 stores in Florida by 2018, to add to the more than 650 already existing stores.

Other upcoming locations, according to Wawa's website, include Valrico, Riverview, Holiday, Bradenton, Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

Each store employs around 35 people, and offers not only the standard convenience store fare of gasoline and snacks, but also a full kitchen with made-to-order products.

The company's first store opened in 1964 as a way to sell milk to those living just outside Philadelphia after home milk delivery started to decline. Wawa now operates stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.