Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Charlie & Debbie

Popular Convenience Store Chain Breaking Ground On Its First North Carolina Location

Author Debbie Nance

Convenience store chains really matter to folks these days it seems.  Of course, being a native Texan the first that comes to my mind is the crazy popular Buc-ee’s.  However, those native to Pennsylvania probably are more familiar with Wawa.  And, according to AXIOS Charlotte, the popular convenience store chain people can’t get enough of is breaking ground on its first North Carolina location May 12.

And, the first North Carolina Wawa is located in Kill Devil Hills in the Outer Banks of the state.  So, what is the popular convenience store famous for?  Customers love the hoagies and mac and cheese.   Pennsylvania based Wawa has around 1000 locations.  And, reports say the brand hopes to open stores in Wilmington and Elizabeth City, as well.

However, if Charlotteans hope this means expansion into the Queen City that’s not clear yet.  I have no knowledge whatsoever of the company’s plans, but if I had to make a guess I’d say probably eventually.  So, for now Wawa will be a stop off on vacations to the Outer Banks.

Wawa prides itself on fresh foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  And, it’s “Built to Order” and “Ready to Go.”  Browsing the website, I love the looks of the sandwiches, sides and soups.  As far as snacks go, those stuffed pretzels look amazing.  And, for those with a sweet tooth there’s plenty of ice cream.

And, they’re doing something right because they began in 1964 and continue to go strong since.  We look forward to welcoming the popular convenience store chain as they break ground on their first North Carolina location.  Read more about the new location in the full story.

People In These Two North Carolina Cities Love Their Road Trips

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for travel and tourism businesses. The leisure and hospitality and travel and transportation industries have consistently been reported among the sectors hardest hit by the effects of the coronavirus. Between shifting public health restrictions, travelers’ concerns about the spread of the virus, and ongoing challenges filling jobs, it has been difficult for businesses in these fields to return to full capacity and stay there.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, major metrics like travel spending and hotel bookings only approached pre-pandemic levels this past December—nearly two years after the pandemic first reached the U.S. two North Carolina cities have seen the largest growth in the number of road trips.

Despite this, some forms of travel have remained resilient and even grown in popularity as a result of COVID-19. Among these are road trips, defined here as trips between 100 and 500 miles made in a personal vehicle. During the pandemic, road trippers have found that they can still take vacations while avoiding other concerns like greater potential exposure to the virus or the high volume of flight cancellations due to the Omicron surge at the end of 2021.

Source- Outdoorsy.com

  • 1. New Orleans-Metairie, LA

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +94.2%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 14,274,908

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 7,351,550

  • 2. Raleigh-Cary, NC

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021):+70.1%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 16,169,102

    Total long-distance road trips (2019):9,508,399

  • 3. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +63.0%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 36,644,756

    Total long-distance road trips (2019):22,478,685

  • 4. Birmingham-Hoover, AL

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +62.4%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 14,867,602

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 9,154,039

  • 5. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): 

    Total long-distance road trips (2021):

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 

  • 6. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +50.4%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 31,850,588

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 21,178,312

  • 7. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +47.0%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 39,502,998

    Total long-distance road trips (2019):  26,871,284

  • 8. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +46.6%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 52,295,821

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 35,678,662

  • 9. Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +46.3%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 20,781,727

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 14,202,165

  • 10. Tulsa, OK

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +44.0%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 11,066,206

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 7,687,292

  • 11. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +41.6%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 17,059,635

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 12,046,893

  • 12. Tucson, AZ

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +34.5%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 11,727,928

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 8,718,777

  • 13. Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +32.4%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 21,741,652

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 16,421,601

  • 14. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +32.0%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 15,593,669

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 11,815,263

  • 15. St. Louis, MO-IL

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +31.8%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 30,515,274

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 23,161,154

  • United States Totals

    Change in long-distance road trips (2019–2021): +20.9%

    Total long-distance road trips (2021): 3,810,300,104

    Total long-distance road trips (2019): 3,152,338,169

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.

Sign me up for the Country 103.7 email newsletter!

Members get exclusive insights into new music, music news, contests, quizzes, and more!

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Debbie Nance
Category:
Tags:
,,

More Country 103.7

Load More