A Wawa convenience store may finally be on its way to Wilmington after previous plans hit a snag.
Formal site plans have been submitted for development at 5328 Oleander Drive in Wilmington — a 1.64-acre site directly across the street from the former Hops Supply Co. property where a Wawa location was previously proposed before being pulled from the pipeline.
The site of the newest proposal is located at the intersection of Englewood and Oleander drives, adjacent to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park and across the street from a variety of other shops, restaurants and an apartment complex.
Site plans have been submitted to the city for a Wawa convenience store at 5328 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. Elevations illustrate what could ultimately be built on the approximately 1.64-acre site.
Prior coverage: Plans for a convenience store at the site of this former Wilmington restaurant are off the table
What led to the location change?
In April 2024, developers withdrew a rezoning application for a Wawa proposed at 5400 Oleander Drive, with posts to social media hinting at community push back against the chain.
“We are working through the process. Most municipalities want to make sure we’re doing it the right way,” Brian Schaller, president of Wawa Inc., previously told the StarNews about the 5400 Oleander Drive location in May 2024. “A Wawa drives traffic intensity, and we understand that.”
Schaller previously said the company was working to make the necessary adjustments. Then, in late March 2025, formal site plans were submitted to the city for the nearby 5328 Oleander Drive site.
In an email to the StarNews this April, the city’s communications office said they had no further information regarding the developer’s motivation for pulling the initial rezoning application last year.
Nadean Shovels of Kimley-Horn, listed as the project consultant, JR Family Holdings LLC, owner of the 5328 Oleander Drive property, and Lori Bruce, Wawa Inc.’s public relations manager, did not respond to requests for comment about the proposed development and its location by the time of publication.
Zoning maps for the city indicate that both the 5328 and 5400 Oleander Drive properties are zoned as Community Business District.
More on Wilmington development: Four rezoning approvals clear path for Wilmington entertainment center and other projects
JR Family Holdings LLC, a company registered to the owners of Jungle Rapids, currently owns a 6.37-acre site at the intersection of Oleander and Englewood drives. Formal site plans have been submitted to the city to develop a Wawa on 1.64 acres of the property.
What’s planned for development?
Site plans detail a one-story 6,372-square-foot building, with building elevations detailing materials of brick, composite siding, eifs or stucco, tile and a bright red metal overhang.
In addition, site plans include 16 fueling positions beneath a fuel canopy, 50 vehicle parking spaces and 6 bicycle parking spaces.
In total, the development would cover 73% of the property — or 52,600 square-feet — with impervious surface.
What other Wawa locations are planned in Wilmington?
Last May, Wawa announced plans to expand its operations, including the opening of 90 stores across North Carolina. The popular Philidelphia-based convenience store chain said approximately 10 to 15 of the stores would be in the Wilmington area.
“You have a great community landscape in Wilmington… You’re a hidden gem that’s been found,” Schaller previously told the StarNews.
Excluding the 5400 Oleander Drive location, Wawa shared the following addresses in May 2024 as part of its planned expansion into New Hanover and Brunswick counties:
Ocean Highway and Frontage Road N.W., Shallotte
Ocean Highway and Lanvale Road, Leland
3 Green Swamp Road N.W., Supply
South 17th St. and Wellington Avenue, Wilmington
6800 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
9021 Stephens Church Road, Wilmington
4113 U.S. 421, Wilmington
7375 Market St., Wilmington
19240 U.S. 17., Hampstead
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wawa submits site plans for Oleander Drive location in Wilmington, NC