By Peter Covino

Lifestyles Editor

Are you ready to Wawa?

The third Wawa store in Florida and the first in Kissimmee/Osceola County will open its doors Wednesday.

With the recent opening of the new prototye RaceTrac store opening earlier this month, the convenience store appears to be the hot place to get food on the go in Central Florida.

Wawa is pulling out all the stops for the grand opening of the Kissimmee store at 2184 E. Irlo Bronson, with a ribbon cutting ceremoy with area officials, food sampling of Wawa products, and a hoagie building competition for charity all part of the fun.

“It’s been a thrilling three weeks, and we couldn’t be happier that our unique brand of appetizing convenience has caught on so quickly with our new Central Florida friends and neighbors,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s President.  “We’re well on our way to presenting Second Harvest Food Bank with a check for $25,000 at the end of our five week launch, and feel passionate about doing our part to help fight hunger in Central Florida.”

 Wednesday's opening kicks off at 10 a.m. with Wawa's Mascot Wally Goose joining with officials for the gala opening.

During the event, Wawa officials will discuss Wawa’s commitment to the community and expected local economic impact for the Central Florida Region.  Representative from the Second Harvest Food Bank will be on hand to speak about the newfound partnership with Wawa and how they will work together to end hunger in the region.

The opening event concludes with the Hoagies for Heroes hoagie building competion as the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department and the Osceola County Fire EMS will face off in a battle of bravery, skill and sandwich-making expertise.  Each team will be challenged to see who can build the most hoagies in three minutes in the traditional Wawa way with Wawa making a donation to the charities of each of the heroes’ choices.

The next Wawa in the state, also in Kissimmee, will open on Aug. 8 with another gala opening event. That Wawa is located at 2499 N. Orange Blossom Trail.

A Wawa in Orange County, a 2500 Silver Star Road is scheduled to open Aug. 15.

Wawa will open six stores in Orlando in 2012 and begin to open its first stores in Tampa in 2013.   Throughout the Orlando / Tampa markets, Wawa plans to open 20 stores in 2013, 25 stores in 2014 and 25 stores in 2015 and projects they will open 100 stores in the Orlando / Tampa markets within the next five years. Visit www.wawa.com/florida for updates on new store construction activity.