Wawa, Now And Forever

Today marks Wawa's 45th anniversary, the Inquirer reports.  Imagine that, 45 years of hoagies and ice cream pints and Sour Patch Kids.  Dearest Wawa, whether it's the fratty one on 37th and Spruce or the Van Pelt-convenient one on 36th and Chestnut, you're always there for us, and no matter how many 7-11's and CVS's come to campus, we'll always choose you.  And now for some fun Wawa facts from the article!  Consider them conversation fodder for the next time you're waiting for your sandwich:

• Wawa started out as "a modest Delaware County milk-delivery business," but has since "become the region's third-largest food merchant, behind Acme and ShopRite."
• The company traces its beginnings to a 19th-century New Jersey iron foundry owned by George Wood, who moved to Wawa, Pa. and took up dairy farming, which led to the home-delivery business.
• Wawa "employs 16,000 people and sells 195 million cups of coffee a year at its 570 stores in five states, and is among the top 10 coffee sellers in the country."
• The goose logo "dates from a time when a Canada goose was a welcome site." (Whatever that means.)
• "Today it is a major player in the gas market. Wawa has about 200 sites with service stations, and all new Wawas will sell gas."