Good afternoon,
After checking out the impressive $6 million renovation of the Sonesta ES hotel (formerly Residence Inn) in the University Plaza area south of Newark, I drove by the Salem Village Shopping Center.
The center across from Christiana High School no longer had a Wawa sign. I figured it might be the end of the road for the store as more gas pump-laden Wawas spring up around the state.
I was wrong. This Wawa is being closed for a major renovation that includes signage.
While Wawa has shuttered stores without gas pumps, it has kept many busy locations, an example being Salem Village.
After all, the company continues to heavily promote its coffee and hoagies that have led to more than $8 billion in annual sales and 30,000 employees in the Mid-Atlantic region and Florida.
Morning and lunch lines are long, even at locations without gas pumps.
The drive in a tiny portion of the Newark area also demonstrates the continuing strength of construction and allied industries these days.
In addition to the millions spent on the Sonesta, the Wawa project will easily run in the six figures.
But much remains to be done. Christiana High School, despite a renovation a few years ago, looks tired and needs more work.
It remains a shame on how little has been invested in high school buildings north of the canal over the past half-century.
Here’s to a great day. The final newsletter for the work week arrives tomorrow. – Doug Rainey, publisher
