There’ a WaWa about two miles from my home, in a middle class neighborhood in Scott Taylor’s Congressional district (VA-02). The store is the new melting pot; I’ve been in there at all hours of the day (and night) and it’s just as you describe: everyone from all walks of life. The store near my home also has a strong military presence, since there are five bases within 15 miles of that location.
As many know, WaWa is a privately traded company; the only individuals allowed to own stock are the Wood family (which founded the company over 200 years ago) and employees. The latest valuation of WaWa stock put the price per share at just over $7,000—eat your heart out Google.
Of course, if you’re an hourly associate, it takes a while to purchase a single share (even if the company offers a discount), and you’re required to sell your shares the day you leave the company, through resignation, retirement or termination. There’s currently a lawsuit in the courts, filed by a former employee, who claims the company promised ex-workers they could retain their stock after leaving WaWa.
Here in the Southeast where WaWa has just recently entered the market, The Publix Supermarket chain works in the same way about ownership. Founded in 1930 by Harold Jenkins in Lakeland Florida, it too is a welcoming presence like WaWa in terms of clean stores, friendly people, large selections and generally good prices. For decades the stores were closed on Sundays but with losing business to competitors, they opened for 7 day business in 1982.