Wawa Gaithersburg opening November/December 2020

The Gaithersburg Wawa store, that mega-gas-station/convenience store chain's first in Montgomery County, will open in November or December 2020 if approved by the city. Wawa would beat its arch-rival Sheetz to MoCo, as the latter has only come as close as Frederick County so far.

Wawa Gaithersburg will be located at 405 South Frederick Avenue (a.k.a. MD 355), on a site currently occupied by a 1950s retail structure. That existing building was found to have no historical significance by the Gaithersburg Historic District Commission in May, clearing the way for its demolition once the Wawa is approved.

The new Wawa is expected to generate 274 new automobile trips during the peak morning rush hour, and 259 new trips at the peak of evening rush hour. Both are likely conservative estimates, especially until the novelty of a Wawa in our county wears off. Wawa will provide 46 parking spaces, including two handicapped spaces and two motorcycle spaces. Two bicycle parking spaces will also be provided at the front of the store. Wawa is planning to have more parking than is allowed under City code, and therefore is requesting a waiver to be able to exceed the maximum.