You may have seen the latest Wawa flyer going around town promoting the proposed new store at the site of the old Media Inn, but if you haven't, here it is. The tri-fold brochure displays the rendering and picture of what the discussed site would look like at the corner of Providence Rd. and Baltimore Pike.
 |
| click to enlarge |
The piece goes on to illustrate the economic benefits that such a store could bring: new jobs, revitalization, construction/contractor work, tax revenue, charitable causes, etc. In addition, it lays out bullet points of the development and architecture that would be unique to Media Borough.
Wawa wouldn't go to this length with a targeted marketing campaign if they weren't serious about building a Super Wawa here. Whether you like this idea or not, you have to respect any entity that shows interest in investing in the borough. From my discussions and the informal feedback gathered from the poll conducted on this site, the overall public opinion appears to favor such a store. Would a hotel go better in this lot? I think we all agree it would, but it's not going to happen. A dollar store or super pharmacy? Not popular options but a reality of what could also potentially be built here by the owner, Media Real Estate.
 |
|
|
Where's Media Borough Council on this plan? Good question. I'm told Wawa and MRE would like to do a presentation at the next borough council meeting on July 19th to further explain their plans and answer questions from the community. However, I'm also hearing that Council President, Brian Hall isn't planning to allow a 15 minute presentation by the group. Perhaps there's a valid reason for that move; but based on how badly the Third St. Bridge ordeal was mis-managed, nothing suprises me.
Build, baby, build! I can taste my meatball hoagie already. And a fresh coffee and Philadelphia Inquirer to go.
ReplyDeleteI like where they've placed the loading dock, that there are five entrances/exits for cars, and front and back doors into the building.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they forgot the sidewalk through the strip of grass in between their lot and the Starbucks. How awesome would it be if they teamed up with Starbucks to expand their little outdoor cafe patio?
This is a huge improvement on what is there now, but if this opens, what's going to replace the Lukoil and other gas stations?
Beautiful design, what a great effort! Two things would be nice: (1) making sure that the direct neighbor (a residential house on State St) is not impacted too much by noise and (2) maybe one or two outside tables (after all, this is such a nice place where I would certainly love eat my hoagie)
ReplyDeleteLOVE that sidewalk highlighting! I walk a lot in Media and 9 out of 10 drivers are careless - the red color is an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteplease, if there is anything they can do to own the space where the new gold store is.....that gold store id just awful...
ReplyDeleteThe Gold Store is just another small business trying to survive this economy like any other small business. Don't we promote and support small business in Media? Or is it a "pick-and-choose" mentality? I'm confused by all the hatred this business owner is getting. Is he a bad person? Does his presence put our community in danger? Is he selling something dangerous or x-rated?
DeleteOh, wait, his store front is ugly. Off with his head!
Who owns the Starbucks location (is it also MRE?)? It would be an AMAZING if collaboration could happen so that there could be better parking/access to that building. I can't imagine that Starbucks would not want more parking, and even possibly a larger store?? They sure could use more space, and access from the Wawa side of the building with shared access (getting rid of the current ones at the Starbucks lot). Here's the opportunity...let's get it right, not just for the proposed new Wawa but for the whole corner/entryway to Media!
ReplyDeleteMedia Real Estate had a chance to buy the Starbucks location years ago, but didn't want to pay the ownern's asking price. Now the new owner probably wants 10X what the Strines would think is the right price.
ReplyDeleteSo Starbucks and the Gold Exchange have a right to be there, whether you like it or not. Private property is still a keystone
of our democracy. Thank goodness.
Well, who owns the building? If Starbucks does they'd be wise to take over the whole building/parking lot. And, regardless of who does own it, there is an opportunity for working together here...it would be better for everyone, all the way around! I am not sure the current access to that parking lot would be workable in addition to new ones all around it...that parking lot is a nightmare!
DeleteYeah, would be nice if the Starbucks building could somehow use the Wawa side for parking. And this would be the coup de grace: fill in the current parking lot in front with grass, chairs, few tables, maybe even a small fountain. You kiddin' me.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! That's what I'm talkin about...it would look better and be better for everyone traffic/parking wise. Was the "You kiddin' me" sarcastic or do you really think that'd be nice?
DeleteThe "you kiddin' me" line is just a light-hearted confirmation of what was just said. By the way, a previous commentor wondered what would happen to the Lukoil station if the super Wawa is built. My response to that: who cares. I hope they go out of business so that that intersection won't be cluttered with gas stations. Heck, maybe they can green up that corner too. You kiddin' me.
ReplyDeleteIf WAWA keeps their same business plan, uses the new larger location for community activities; by that I mean it would become a community meeting place - similar to meeting, well we all know where. I agree that some tables would be great. Jobs would be created and more coffee would be flowing; maybe Delaware County Residents will get their MOJO on like in Seattle. Please, if you do get your MOJO on, drive with a little more courtesy, because no matter what anyone says, Philadelphia drivers have attitude. In Seattle, they do not know about WAWA coffee; something to it. Drivers out west are courteous, we swerve for bikes, have bumper stickers for everything and in particular the logo, Get out of my way, I need a latte. Lame, but that is how it is. Oh, if you see someone pulling out of a latte stand and they give you the bent middle finger; that is when the Seattle attitude rears its' ugly head.
ReplyDeleteTraffic nightmare.
DeleteNo one is driving around looking for gas in the middle of the night. Take it somewhere else.
Residents of Media > Corporate interest in Media.
What a profit for MRE,you got to love the Strine's. Big money, but not for Media.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Wawa allow a Starbucks to use their parking lot?..They compete with them.
ReplyDelete