Wednesday, Nov. 4, College of William and Mary Student Assembly President Nico Giro-Martin ’27 and Vice President Sophie Kennedy ’27 informed The Flat Hat that the Wawa at 331 Richmond Rd. will permanently close Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Giro-Martin and Kennedy said they called the local Wawa and confirmed that employees had been informed of the closure that day. The Flat Hat independently confirmed the planned closing date with a Wawa employee.
Both student leaders expressed personal disappointment over the news.
“I am incredibly devastated as a student that frequents Wawa, as well as knowing just how popular it has been as the only accessible convenience store open 24/7 for students,” Kennedy wrote in a message to The Flat Hat.
Giro-Martin echoed a similar sentiment, citing Wawa’s role in bringing students together.
“It is very sad to hear about the closing of Wawa by campus,” Giro-Martin wrote in an email. “There is nothing more unifying as a William & Mary student than late nights waiting for a Wawa order. We are communicating with the City to understand what will be replacing this fine institution.”
In response to the news, Emma Primini ’27 created a petition calling for the Wawa to remain open. At the time of publication, the petition has more than 2,900 signatures.
“Wawa is one of the only establishments near campus that’s only 24/7, has affordable food options and the friendliest staff,” Primini said. “It would be a disservice to the College and greater Williamsburg community to close one of the highest non-gas locations, hence why I made the petition.”
Primini also said the petition received 1,000 signatures within two hours of its creation.
This is an ongoing story with more reporting to come.
