Sheetz is making a bold move in its rivalry with Wawa, pushing into its opponent’s territory with plans to open one of its first Greater Philadelphia locations in Chester County, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
The convenience store and gas station chain plans to redevelop a shuttered Rite Aid in Downingtown, diagonally across from the Wawa at the intersection of East Lincoln Highway and Bondsville Road. The 1.79-acre site is owned by NNN REIT, an Orlando-based real estate investment trust with triple-net leased properties throughout the county and tenants like 7-Eleven, Dave & Buster’s, and AMC Theatres.
According to documents submitted to Caln Township, the Altoona-based grocer wants to demolish the Rite Aid building and replace it with a 6,139-square-foot convenience store featuring a drive-thru, 45 parking spaces, and 12 multi-fuel gas pumps.
The location is expected to open on Sept. 1, 2026.
Until now, the company owned by the Sheetz family has primarily stayed in western and central parts of Pennsylvania, avoiding Philadelphia with the collar counties, all dominated by cross-state rival Wawa. Sheetz closest location is in Morgantown, just outside of the Chester County line.
Read more about Sheetz possibly making its way in Chester County in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
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