New arts complex may force Wawa departure

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Photo by Sarah Breslow

University plans to construct a new arts complex could displace the popular Wawa.

The Wawa has weathered Nude Olympian raids and U-Store competition in its 32 years of operation, but the popular convenience market may be forced to close or relocate in coming years if the University positions an arts complex near McCarter Theatre and the Dinky station.

President Tilghman's January report on the creative and performing arts calls for the construction of an "arts neighborhood" near McCarter or 185 Nassau that would include facilities such as a concert hall and art galleries.

If the McCarter site is chosen, the Wawa, which occupies a University-owned property at 140 University Place, may stand in the way of new arts buildings or other structures, including "restaurants, cafes, and other retail activity," as proposed in Tilghman's report.

In 1974, the University renovated 140 University Place — then the warehouse for the now-defunct dormitory and food services department — to make way for the 125th store in the Wawa chain.

Now considered a cheap option for frugal students, the Wawa was initially criticized for selling food, snacks and healthcare products at higher prices than other local merchants. Business flourished anyway due to the store's convenient location and extended hours.

The 'Wa, as the store is known to students, now stays open 24 hours and offers food at relatively low prices. Tipsy students often flock to its shelves after a night out at the eating clubs.

"It's by Forbes, and it's got cheap sandwiches, ice cream and coffee for you. All night. Every night. And the collection of people roaming the aisles at 4 a.m. can help cure any case of the normals," notes the Student Guide to Princeton.

Customers enjoy the endearing antics of cashier Karim Groves and the custom hoagies ordered at touchscreen consoles.

"It's the only place that is open late at night when you come back from the Street — and Karim is hilarious," said Ian Shannon '07, creator of the Wawa Loyalists group on Facebook.com.

"Everyone is aware what a critical role the Wawa plays in student life," Vice President and Secretary Bob Durkee '69 said with a laugh.

A mix of new restaurants and shops near McCarter would include options suited to the pocketbooks of adult arts patrons as well as the more modest resources of students, Durkee said, noting that the University is "nowhere near the point of knowing exactly what [those options] would include."

The University would try to "serve the needs of people in that area, and one substantial group would be students," Durkee said.