New York (CNN)Convenience store operator Wawa is testing a new store format as people look for contactless ways to shop during the pandemic.
Wawa said the 1,850 sq-ft test store is expected to open in December in Falls Township, Pennsylvania. It’s one of two drive-thru locations planned this year. (The other one will be in Westhampton, New Jersey).
At the Pennsylvania store, shoppers will pull up to a drive-thru window to place their order and a Wawa employee will process payment and hand over their items, the company said.
If the drive-thru line gets too long, or if someone has a large order, customers will be directed to curbside parking where the order is brought out to the car.
Wawa, which operates 900 stores nationwide, said the idea for the drive-thru store was already in the works prior to the coronavirus outbreak, but it accelerated plans to test the concept as the virus continued to spread in the United States.
In June, the company also launched curbside pickup at select locations and has expanded home delivery to most of its markets.
The drive-thru concept isn’t entirely new. Florida-based Farm Stores opened its first location in Miami in 1957. It was a tiny 350-square-foot drive-thru that sold fresh food like milk, butter, bread, eggs and ice cream.
Customers would order at the window and an employee would then walk out to their car and deliver the items. The company now has about 70 Farm Stores drive-thru locations in Florida and is expanding to New York, New Jersey, Texas and Pennsylvania.
Wawa plans to expand the drive thru concept to other locations if it is successful.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/03/business/wawa-drive-thru-store/index.html
This one really stabbed at me. More dehumanizing in the planning – full speed ahead, and probably with “cashless” just around the corner. Contactless employment, contactless shopping, contactless LIFE!! They’re showing they’re in it for the long-haul. Corporate gone mad! With the government’s blessing, of course. How many other enterprises will sign on/follow suit? Well, you know what they say, “Anything to make a buck…” Should they add on “and to help echo in global communism where humans become obedient and joyless automatons?” The word “boycott” keeps poppin’ up. But maybe it won’t be necessary; maybe we’ll already be in the uprising going full-scale. Well, until then, I will fight the CONTACTLESS EXPERIENCE. Karens or no Karens, I’m still shakin’ hands and sharin’ hugs. DAMN!!
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Kinda funny you mentioned that, Galen. wawa is local to me and I found it odd that a SOMEWHAT regional chain was “allowed” to operate when everyone else was locked down. Somehow they were immune to any restrictions? I knew they were in on it.and this is proof.
Fk wawa.
Yeah, FCK Wawa.
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