Wildwood’s New Doo Wop Wawa Is Officially Underway

Just weeks after demolition began at the former Rite Aid site in Wildwood, the transformation is already moving quickly.

A recent visit to 3400 New Jersey Avenue shows that the property has now been fully cleared, with all parts of the former building completely removed.

In its place, crews have begun shaping what will become the foundation footprint for the new Wawa.

Heavy equipment remains active on site as workers continue grading and leveling the land. Large piles of sand and gravel can be seen surrounding a freshly compacted base, signaling that early-stage site preparation is well underway.

Most visibly, the rectangular foundation pad for the main building is now clearly visible. The area has been filled, flattened, and compacted, giving the first real look at where the future convenience store will sit.

In the photos, you can make out some pink flags showcasing where the concrete pad for the building will be located. From this view, it’s hard to tell whether or not utilities have ran into the buildings. Some reports indicated they have not done so yet, but we’ll find out in a few weeks when they start digging up those areas.

The right side of the property is where the gas tanks will be located. And so we’re still in the very early phases of construction.

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In our latest Wildwoods construction update video, we walk around the property a little bit. You can see that video at the bottom of this article.

What was once a long-standing Rite Aid and, before that, part of Wildwood’s former bus terminal, has now been completely reset for redevelopment.

As previously reported, this new Wawa will be a major upgrade for the area. Plans call for a more than 6,000-square-foot store along with multiple fuel dispensers, bringing a full-service gas station to a part of the island that currently lacks one.

There is still no word yet about what will happen to the other Wawa and when that one will close. More than likely, they will sell off that lot, and it will probably become residential dow the line.

The design is also expected to stand out. City officials worked closely with Wawa to incorporate elements of Wildwood’s iconic Doo Wop style, meaning the finished building should feature bold lines, retro-inspired signage, and a look that fits the island’s historic character.

While vertical construction has not yet begun, the current pace suggests that the project is moving efficiently through its early phases. Site work like this is a critical step, as crews prepare underground utilities and ensure the ground is properly stabilized before building can begin.

For now, the focus remains on completing the foundation work and continuing site grading. Once that phase is complete, the next major step will be the start of structural construction.

Below is our latest Wildwoods Construction update video. Before you watch, please consider subscribing.