Wawa opening third New Hanover County location Thursday with free coffee, T-shirts

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wawa will open its third New Hanover County location Thursday, bringing the convenience store chain to the northern part of the county near the Pender County line.

The new store at 9010 Senca Drive is next to Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center, close to the New Hanover-Pender county border.

The Scotts Hill-area location will be Wawa’s first in northern New Hanover County and is positioned to serve customers traveling between New Hanover and Pender counties.

SEE ALSO: Hoagie Culture and the arrival of Wawa in Wilmington

Doors are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. Thursday, following a countdown beginning at 7:55 a.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and hoagie-building competition between local first responders are scheduled for 8:30 a.m.

Wawa says the first 250 customers will receive T-shirts while supplies last. The company will also offer free hot coffee through Sept. 20.

The new store follows two Wawa locations already open in New Hanover County. The second opened on 17th Street in Wilmington in August.

SEE ALSO: Wawa opens first Wilmington-area store, plans major North Carolina expansion

Wawa says it plans to open six to eight stores annually in North Carolina over the next eight to 10 years, with a long-term goal of about 90 locations statewide.

The company says each new store employs an average of 35 workers once open.