In the early 1960's Grahame Wood, George Wood's grandson, sought to revitalize Wawa Dairy Farms by finding new outlets for its products.
After researching convenience stores, Grahame decided the best course of action was to enter retail food sales in order to tap growing consumer demand for quick and easy shopping. He organized a new company, called Wawa Food Markets, to establish retail outlets that sold items like deli meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and other grocery goods in a convenience store setting.
The first Wawa Food Market opened on 16 April 1964 in Folsom, Pennsylvania (below) and became an almost instant success. The company opened two more stores in May and October of the same year.
