AVON, Ind. - Another Wawa is heading to the Hoosier state.
Avon’s Town Council approved zoning changes Thursday night that would allow the Pennsylvania gas station and convenience store chain to build its latest shop in central Indiana.
Just a couple of months after Indianapolis broke ground on the state’s first Wawa, Avon is now one step closer to getting its very own. The shop will be built at the corner of County Road 100 North and County Road 800 East.
A handful of homes sit right next door to where the store will be built.
"It's really close," said homeowner Stan Wright. "I look out my back door and I’ll be able to see it."
Wright said the store will be about 600 feet from his house, which is something he’s looking forward to.
"It’ll add a new level of convenience," he said. "Some of us that walk up and down the sidewalks by the middle school will be able to walk on over, grab a soda, ice cream or coffee.”
Several other people spoke in support of the Wawa during Thursday’s meeting, including Avon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Thomas Downard and homeowner Larry Cranfill, who built the town’s very first shopping center.
"I can honestly say having two shopping centers just down the street, I’d love to have them as a part of the community because they’re great people," Cranfill said.
While Avon Town Council approved zoning changes that would allow Wawa to build in Avon, the town’s planning commission previously recommended that the council not approve those changes. During an hour-long discussion, councilors spoke about concerns ranging from traffic issues to safety problems with a 24-hour operation.
Ultimately, councilors approved the zoning change.
Several people who attended Thursday's meeting said they have been to a Wawa and are now excited to finally have one closer to home.
"It’s bright," Wright described. "It’s big inside it. It’s well stocked. It’s clean."
Wawa now has to apply for a permit, then it can begin construction in Avon.