Avenel Wawa Opens Doors With Community Donations, Hoagie Contest

A brand-new Wawa on Route 1 opened its doors on Friday with a community celebration, dozens of hurriedly-made hoagies for charity, and free coffee for all.

The Avenel store is situated on property that once housed a dilapidated diner, hotel and gas station.

It is now home to a 4,700 sq. foot store featuring new Wawa designs, a self-serve lottery machine and a gas station, according to the company. 

As part of the grand opening celebration, Wawa made a $500 donation to the Woodbridge Marching Band - who stood in the rain to provide music for the ceremony - and a $2,000 donation to the Woodbridge Domestic Violence Response Team.

The Avenel Fire Department faced off against Woodbridge Police in a hoagie-building contest to see who could create the most sandwiches in three minutes.

The fire department ultimately won after going to a tie-breaker, and was awarded a giant trophy for their efforts. 

Regardless of their sandwich skills, both departments were sent home with $1,000 donations from Wawa. 

Woodbridge Police Cpt. Bob Brady said the police department would be giving their donation to the Woodbridge Domestic Violence Response Team, while Avenel Fire Department ex-chief Andy Mazzarella said the fire department would use the donation to benefit their community outreach programs. 

Wawa is located at 930 Route 1 N. in the Avenel section of the township.

As part of its grand opening celebration, free coffee will be available to all patrons through Dec. 1, according to the company.