Smithville Wawa Celebrates 25 Years of Business

Free coffee. All day.

The Smithville Wawa, located at 8 South New York Road, is celebrating its 25-year anniversary all day on Thursday, Nov. 15 with four of the most powerful words in the English language.

It also celebrated with a cake, balloons, the presence of Wally, the Wawa mascot, and a “family tree,” in which customers loyal to their local store provide their best memories and what they like best about Wawa.

And then they go get their free coffee.

“This celebration helps our associates know that we appreciate them and that the customers appreciate them,” Smithville Wawa Store Manager Anthony Latigona said. “ … We’re a big family here. It’s the best group of people I’ve ever worked for.”

Latigona was speaking of his own associates. On Thursday, the associates were celebrated for their commitment to the store and the community.

Kendall Collins was celebrated for her commitment to a store she’s worked for since 2003. She lives in Smithville during the week, but her permanent home is in New York.

Rose Landgon and Tricia Earle were celebrated for their commitment. Langdon, Earle and Latigona stayed in the store for the duration of Superstorm Sandy. Langdon and Latigona were in the store from the time the power went out, with Earle joining them after working in the Pitney Road store for a few hours. They maintained the Smithville store while the power was out, and made sure it was ready for customers once it came back on.

“A lot of people were still without electricity for three or four days after us,” Langdon said. “Some people ate every meal here, and they needed something hot to eat. We knew we had to get open as soon as possible.”

Latigona estimated they were in the store for about 18 hours.

“We knew as soon as the power came back on, our customers would come here to get whatever they needed,” Latigona said.

The store celebrated its customers, not just by offering free coffee all day, but by recognizing specific patrons. This included Rich and Gerri Radito, a couple married for eight years who would meet at the Smithville Wawa every day for two years prior to getting married and have a cup of coffee.

Louann Giverson has patronized the store for 25 years, since the store opened on Jan. 16, 1987.

Wawa even recognized a four-year child nicknamed “Mayor Joe,” who’s been coming to the store “his entire life.”

Other associates honored included:

* Sheila Zorzi, shift manager and associate since 2006;

* Kashea Braithwaite, a weekday social worker and associate since 2006;

* Jessie, an associate for nine years;

* Daiana DiCostanzo, an associate since 2006, and store's "fun coordinator"; and

* Randy Gong, associate since 2007.

Wawa also donated a check for $422,000 to MJ Flammer, an Operations Manager at Joint Base MDL for the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

There were balloons and music, and an in-store parade. The party ended with the cutting of a 25^th anniversary cake. It lasted about an hour.

But the free coffee lasts all day.