Another Center City Wawa has closed its doors for good. December 8th, 2024 the Wawa on 16th and Ranstead officially ceased operations. The recent closure marks the ninth store to close in the city since 2020.
Another Wawa is closed
Another of Philadelphia’s favorite convenience and food store has shut its doors. Wawa, located on 16th & Ranstead, shut down officially December 8th, 2024.
“Our 16th and Ranstead store initially opened in 2020 as a pilot test of a smaller urban store concept, which also included a walk-up window,” Lori Bruce, a spokesperson with Wawa, said in a statement. “However, due to its limited size, we have determined that we are not able to provide the same kind of in-store experience and full Wawa offer that customers expect.”
Bruce further explains that all of the employees were offered employment at other nearby Wawa stores.
The closest to the now-closed 16th St. location is 17th and Arch, which was remodeled last year.
Why are all the Wawas closing in Philadelphia?
This is the ninth Wawa to close in the city since 2020.
In 2022, the company initially cited the increase of crime and theft for the reasons for multiple closures.
Locations at 21st and Hamilton, 12th and Market and 19th and Market also closed in recent times.
Moreover, in July the Wawa in Port Richmond, one of the oldest locations, closed after 45 years.
While the company has backed down citing reasons for the closures, it’s no secret the chain is focusing on larger stores. Most of these stores are located in suburban areas outside of the city.
Such locations are formatted to sell gasoline, which naturally increases company profits.
Specifically, only a handful of Wawas are still open in the Center City.
8 out of the 12 stores in Center City have closed since 2020.
Only four stores remain in the area.