Someone already asked me if the Wawa will have their Thanksgiving hoagies.
The answer is yes.
More than 400 people filed through the new Wawa on John Sims Parkway in Niceville Thursday morning to welcome the long-anticipated Wawa to town. Construction began more than a year ago on the pale yellow-and-white building that has gas and also serves hoagies (sandwiches), snacks, drinks (hot and cold), cigarettes, beer, and more.
Some visitors to the Mid-Atlantic Embassy arrived in traditional attire – Philadelphia Eagles jerseys – and chowed down on their traditional meals from back home.
Jersey Giambrone, an Emerald Coast entrepreneur and South Jersey native, was the first person in line for the opening. He walked through the door with a cameraphone in hand to film the entrance, bedecked in Wawa socks and a shirt. His first job was as a meat cutter in the back of the Wawa in his hometown.
Gina created a small sign from copier paper and red pencil to share her excitement for the opening. “Hooray Wawa is opening today!” the sign read. She loves the sandwiches here. Her other message to people driving by and not in line: “They better get over here.”
The line to get into the new Wawa on August 27 was around the block several hundred people attended the opening ceremony 
A Wawa store associate holds a tray with dozens of cups of iced coffee for new patrons to try during the stores opening in Niceville on August 27, 2026 
To Wawa store associates smile for a photo during the stores grand opening on August 27, 2026 
A Wawa associate holds a tray of caffeine drinks for people to try as they walk in during the grand opening of the Wawa store in Niceville Florida on August 27, 2026 
A dad hold his child and a cup of Wawa coffee wow wearing a Saquon Barkley jersey to support all things Philadelphia at the Wawa grand opening in Niceville Florida on August 27, 2026. 
A Philly dad shows up for the Eagles and the Wawa at the stores grand opening on August 27, 2026. 
The general manager of the new Wawa in Niceville gives a speech at the ribbon-cutting for the facility on August 27, 2026 
Employees of the family- and associate-owned stores that have made their way south from the Cradle of American Independence are excited to open the store. They say the company kept them on the payroll while the store’s delay stopped them from making money. They completed their training and say they plan to stay for a while. Cristian Pop, a store associate, praised the company’s dental and mental health insurance – along with mental health support. “It makes me have a hope for the world: That there are still good people who care about other people. Pop says he spent plenty of time in Wawas as a kid, and to have one down here is like having a piece of home with him.
RELATED: Wawa gets development order for John Sims Location
Niceville Mayor Daniel Henkel, along with Council members Bill Schaetzle, Doug Stauffer, and Cathy Alley, attended with the fire and police departments to celebrate the opening. Henkel says the opening of the Wawa marks another milestone in the city’s progress. He says he and the City Manager have continued to put their heads together to find ways to make the city even more attractive for outside businesses to set up shop.
