Wawa opens flagship Center City location

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- A brand new Wawa store is now open on the corner of Broad and Walnut Streets in Center City.

The first customers lined up down the block for a chance to get through the doors at 8 o'clock Friday morning.

Mayor Michael Nutter was there to help cut the ribbon.

The store opened two months ahead of schedule, just in time for the World Meeting of Families and the Papal visit next week.

Wawa is hoping to serve Pope Francis a hoagie of his choice - and in his honor, the company has established a special fund to help fight hunger in the Philadelphia region.

"A portion of all hoagie sales in the city of Philadelphia over the next week are going to be going to the Francis Fund," said David Simonetti, Director of Operations.

The special fundraiser runs from September 18th through September 28th.

The new location is the first Wawa to offer in-door bar seating along the windows.

The store also brought 80 new jobs to Philadelphia.