Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Wawa has confirmed it will permanently close its Drexel University location at 3300 Market Street on January 21, 2026, marking another high-profile shutdown for the popular convenience store chain as economic pressures and shifting consumer habits reshape the retail landscape. The closure was first reported by NBC News and later confirmed by company officials.
From Road-Trip Staple to Regional Icon
There is a special kind of nostalgia tied to family road trips — early morning departures, overpacked cars, sibling arguments over music, and ritual stops for coffee and snacks. In Texas, Buc-ee’s has become synonymous with that experience. On the East Coast, however, few brands carry the same emotional weight as Wawa.
Founded in 1964 and rooted in a Pennsylvania dairy business that dates back to 1920, Wawa built its reputation on clean restrooms, fresh coffee, and made-to-order hoagies. Over six decades, the brand cultivated a loyal, almost cult-like following among commuters, students, and long-distance travelers.
Wawa Confirms Closure of Drexel University Location
The Drexel University Wawa, which first opened in 2018, will shut down just two years after undergoing a full remodel. Senior Media Relations Manager Lori Bruce said the decision followed repeated efforts to address operational challenges at the site.
“Over the years, we have made several attempts to address business and operational challenges at this location,” Bruce told The Triangle. “This includes partnering with property owner, Drexel University, and most recently making investments in our store design to test a fully digital format.”
Bruce added that the experiment did not produce the intended results.
“Unfortunately, this test did not adequately improve performance or deliver an enhanced customer experience, which ultimately led to the decision to close the store.”
While Wawa will exit Drexel’s campus, the company said it remains committed to the surrounding area and directed customers to nearby locations on Chestnut Street and Spruce Street. The company did not disclose how many employees will be affected but confirmed workers will be offered roles at other stores.
Digital Store Experiment Fell Short
In 2023, Wawa converted the Drexel location into a kiosk-only store, removing traditional shelves and relying entirely on digital ordering. The move came after the closure of two Philadelphia locations amid rising theft concerns and was intended to test whether a tech-focused format could improve performance.
The strategy aligned with Wawa’s broader growth plan to reach 1,800 locations by 2030, as reported by The Business Journal. However, the Drexel store’s closure suggests the format failed to resonate with customers.
Expansion Continues Despite Closures
Despite recent shutdowns, Wawa has continued expanding into new markets and experimenting with store formats. The company opened its first drive-thru location in New Jersey in 2020, its first freestanding drive-thru in Pennsylvania in 2021, and its first large travel center in North Carolina in 2025.
By 2025, Wawa operated approximately 1,175 stores across 14 states, according to ScrapeHero. Yet not all experiments succeeded. The company has since closed all drive-thru-only locations and converted some others back to traditional layouts.
“Wawa is constantly testing new concepts to meet the needs of our customers,” a company spokesperson told LevittownNow.com.
Philadelphia Has Been Hit Hardest
Pennsylvania — particularly Philadelphia — has seen the largest concentration of Wawa closures. Since 2020, roughly 10 locations in the city have shut down.
Philadelphia Wawa closures include:
- 2026: 3300 Market Street (CBS News)
- 2025: 6506 Frankford Ave; 6919 Castor Ave (The Street)
- 2024: 2000 Hamilton Street; 3230 Ranstead Street (The Business Journal, NBC Philadelphia)
- 2022: 21st & Hamilton; 12th & Market; 19th & Market (The Inquirer, The Business Journal)
- 2020: Broad & Walnut (WHYY)
Even with these losses, Pennsylvania remains Wawa’s third-largest market, with more than 267 stores — about 23% of its total footprint.
Brands Returning to Their Roots
Wawa is not alone in reevaluating its approach. Other major brands are attempting to regain momentum by refocusing on the experiences that originally built customer loyalty.
Starbucks recently launched its “Back to Starbucks” turnaround strategy after declining sales. In 2025, the company announced it would close all pickup-only locations and convert some into full cafés, while shutting hundreds of stores across North America and scaling back operations abroad.
Broader Industry Struggles
Wawa’s challenges reflect a wider trend across retail and food service. Rising labor costs, theft, inflation, and changing consumer behavior have triggered a wave of closures nationwide.
According to CoreSight Research, announced store closures in 2025 rose 67% year over year, with nearly 6,000 shutdowns reported by mid-year — far exceeding 2024 levels.
Convenience store chains have been particularly vulnerable:
- 7‑Eleven closed around 500 stores since 2024
- Circle K announced plans to sell 36 locations in late 2025
- Casey’s shut 24 stores in 2025
Industry leaders warn the effects go beyond storefronts.
“Thousands of workers are losing their jobs, many in communities where retail employment has long been an anchor,” said Shmuel Shayowitz, president and chief lending officer of Approved Funding.
As Wawa continues expanding into new markets while trimming underperforming locations, the closure of its Drexel University store underscores how even beloved, legacy brands are being forced to adapt — sometimes painfully — to a rapidly changing retail environment.
