People Are Not Too Happy About Wawa Possibly Coming To Wayne

WAYNE, NJ — People are not too thrilled about a Wawa convenience store and gas station possibly coming to Wayne.

The former Nagel's Candy Barn site could be taken over by a Wawa.

Many people commented on a Wayne Patch Facebook post about the story that Wayne has enough convenience stores and gas stations, especially near where Wawa is proposing to go.

"Wawa you can’t be serious! Put in some decent restaurants or mom and pop shops," Linda Buonocore said. "No wonder Montclair is booming and Wayne is stagnant."

"Stop it already! We don't need another gas station/convenience store in Wayne!" Rose Mary said. "There's the Quick Check/gas station 800 feet down the road!"

"Just what we need, another gas station," Cheryl Gordon Dulio said.

"I agree the more the merrier when it comes to business in this town as long as a small business isn’t hurt as a result," Kathryn-Tessaro-Barlett said. "Yes, we have gas stations, but if Wawa sees an opportunity then so be it. [I] welcome the tax revenue."

"That would really put my buddy at the 23 shop out and the Exxons. "7-Eleven and QuickChek still the fastest option," said Mike Olszewski. "That place is to small and like I said I bet it will really affect the others we have plenty of stops on that stretch of highway already!!"

The property is located in a highway/commercial zone and a convenience store gas station is a permitted use in such a zone in town so Wawa is not required to get a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustments. There are several such businesses within two miles of the proposed location.

The locations of several gas stations and convenience stores on Route 23 in Wayne. (Google Maps screenshot)

"If the use is permitted, the township does not usually have the ability to reject the project because there are already enough convenience store/gas stations in the area," Mayor Chris Vergano said. "The property owner, who purchased the property and pays taxes on the property, under the laws of the state of New Jersey can decide what they propose to develop on their property as long as the use of the property meets the zoning laws. If the use does not meet the zone, they must go before the Board of Adjustments and request a use variance."

Vergano previously said that Wawa has been looking to have a store in Wayne for "many years."

A transition area waiver from the DEP in order for the project to move forward.

Caryn Shinske, a DEP spokesperson, said the DEP has not reviewed the application because it is not complete.

Related: Wawa Looking To Build Store, Gas Station On Rt. 23 In Wayne

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com