Center City to get new flagship Wawa Friday

Center City has seen several of its most beloved Wawas closed in recent months. Long-standing popularlocations in Rittenhouse Square and at 11th and Arch near the Convention Center have both closed.

Now, a new Wawa set to open at Broad and Walnut streets Fridaywill help fill the gap.

And it’s not just any Wawa — this will be the flagship location of Philly Wawas.

The new store is opening two months ahead of schedule “just in time for Papal Visit and World Meeting of Families,” a press release from the local company boasted.

Related link: VIDEO:Wawa celebrated by Buzzfeed as ‘everything you need in this otherwise cruel world’

The grand opening at 8 a.m. on Friday will be a gala affair, with the Philaelphia Orchestra performing, a parade of the history of Wawa milestones, cake, a hoagie building competition between police officers and firefighters competing for charity, and Eagles cheerleaders.

“During this significant occasion when the spotlight is on Philadelphia as the World Meeting of Families convenes and culminates with the visit of Pope Francis, we couldn’t be more excited to open our Flagship Philadelphia store,” Wawa presidentChris Gheysens said in a statement.

Related link: Forbes rates Wawa 40th largest private company in US

The 4,000-square-foot store is described as including indoor bar seating by the window (a first), “new” food products and “one-of-a-kind” features that no other Wawa has.

How they can top the sandwich-ordering computer screens remains to be seen.

The new Wawaat 201 S. Broad St.will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.