Look for a very popular and successful convenience/fuel store named “Wawa” to build a 5,500 square foot store with an eight-island fuel station at 1490 3rd Street SW — former home of Cypress Lincoln Mercury. The site will be cleared and all new construction will occur. Todd Dantzler with Choice-Dantzler Properties has handled the sale of the property.

“Wawa” is a Native American word for the Canada Goose that was found in the Delaware Valley, that’s why the company uses the goose on Wawa’s corporate logo. The company specializes in freshly made sandwiches, salads and its signature coffee. Here’s a few details about the organization …

Core Purpose…

To Simplify Our Customers’ Daily Lives

Core Values…

Value People

Delight Customers

Embrace Change

Do the Right Thing

Do Things Right

Passion for Winning

Wawa offers a large fresh food selection, including Wawa brands like Built-to-Order®
Hoagies which come in four sizes: the Junior, Shorti, Classic, and Two-Footer. We are also proud to offer our award-winning Freshly Brewed Coffee (over 195 million cups sold each year), the Sizzli® hot breakfast sandwich, quality dairy products and Wawa brand juices and teas. All Wawa stores feature a wide selection of ready-to-go salads, and fresh fruits.

Store Example

Most stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Winter Haven location will employ 30-40 associates. The engineering firm handling the project is Stillwater Technologies from Orlando, FL. Construction should begin this spring.

Wawa employs 16,000 associates throughout portions of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia — and now Florida.

*Arabellas Ristorante
-Pollo Saltimbocca
Boneless breast of chicken topped with prosciutto and fresh sage in a light white wine cream sauce
-Penne Aurora
Penne pasta sautéed with ham and peas in a vodka cream sauce

*Bob Evans Restaurant
-Mini portions of apple cider stuffed pork chops/chicken
-Fresh broccoli with cheddar cheese
-Dinner rolls

*Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Inn
-Prime rib
-Yorkshire pudding

*Elmo & Linda’s Magical Dining
-Pork tenderloin medallions
-Nutty rice
-Peanut butter bites

*Fred’s Southern Kitchen
-Pulled pork
-Corn pudding

*KC’s Big Dipper
-Tiramisu frozen custard
-Red Velvet Cake frozen custard

*Olive Garden
-Baked ziti
-Chicken scampi

*Red Lobster
-Oak-grilled peppercorn sirloin topped with shrimp hollandaise
-Over a bed of roasted garlic mashed potatoes
-Cheddar bar biscuits

Richard’s Fine Coffees
- A self-serve selection

*Spring Haven Catering
-Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin filets
-Assorted dark chocolate mousse filled dessert cups

*Tapping The Vine
-Mettler Old Vine Zinfandel
-LaPlaya Carmenere
-Jam Jar (Sweet Shiraz)
-Alex Elman Torrontes
-Tapping The Vine Specialty Sangria
-Eel River Organic California Blonde Ale
-Eel River Organic Porter
-Kreusch Piesporter Michelsberg Spätlese Riesling

*Terrie Lobb Catering
-Black bean soup shots topped with onion salsa and sour cream
-Mini cuban sandwiches

*The Seasoned Stone
-Signature Antipasto
Our Signature Vegetarian Curry or Mediterranean Chicken served inside a mini homemade shell

Join your friends for an evening of fine dining samples from many of the best restaurants in our area. Then celebrate as we honor both a man and woman for making Winter Haven a better place to live.

To purchase tickets, click here, (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover accepted online.)

Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Inn

- Prime rib
- Yorkshire pudding

Elmo & Linda’s Magical Dining

- Pork tenderloin
- Nutty rice
- Peanut butter bites

Fred’s Southern Kitchen

- Pulled pork
- Corn pudding

KC’s Big Dipper

-Red Velvet Cake frozen custard
-Tiramisu frozen custard

Olive Garden

- Baked ziti
- Chicken scampi

Red Lobster

- Oak-grilled peppercorn sirloin topped with shrimp hollandaise over a bed of roasted garlic mashed potatoes
- Cheddar bar biscuits

Richard’s Fine Coffee’s 

- A self-serve selection

  Tapping The Vine Wine Shop

- Mettler Old Vine Zinfandel
- LaPlaya Carmenere
- Jam Jar (Sweet Shiraz)
- Alex Elman Torrontes
- Tapping The Vine Specialty Sangria
- Eel River Organic California Blonde Ale
- Eel River Organic Porter
- Kreusch Piesporter Michelsberg Sp
atlese Riesling

Terrie Lobb Catering

- Black bean soup shots topped with onion salsa and sour cream
- Mini cuban sandwiches

Menus from Arabella’s Ristorante, Bob Evans and The Seasoned Stone forthcoming.

Banker’s Cup/Taste of Winter Haven is Winter Haven’s most delectable culinary event and this 89th Awards Banquet will honor two Winter Haven individuals with our highest civic honor. Nominations are being accepted until Monday, January 23 at 4 p.m. Complete details here.

The evening is presented by Winter Haven’s finest financial institutions. Don’t miss this memorable black-tie optional event. Complete information and ticket purchase details is available here. 

According to the submitted site plan, Winter Haven Venture-2, a Texas limited partnership out of Dallas is the developer. Once the submitted site plan is approved development may begin.

Chamber President Nelson Kirkland has called upon interested organizations or individuals to present nominees for the 2012 Bankers Cup Awards. Traditionally, both a man and a woman from the community are recognized. Criteria for the award are as follows:

• To honor persons dedicated to making Winter Haven better for their having lived here.

• Consider the range of activities and the involvement of the person you nominate and their positive impact on our community.

• Neither age nor occupation should be a factor. Every living resident of Winter Haven of exemplary character, is a potential candidate.

• Social standing is not relevant; respect and integrity are.

• Traditionally an award is voted by the Selection Committee for both a woman and a man, if worthy candidates are presented.

• Activities should be considered only if they were truly for the community good. For example, work done for one’s personal hobby would be given less importance than work volunteered to serve the needs of others.

• It is not a popularity contest. The number of letters received is never a deciding factor; one sincere, well-documented letter may be enough.

• It is appropriate to honor person for freely-given service over a period of years.

• The question is, “Who has made the most positive impact on making the Winter Haven area a better place to live?”

There are no forms to be completed. Groups or individuals are invited to send nomination letters to Bankers Cup Selection Committee, c/o Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 1420, Winter Haven, FL 33882-1420. Deadline for 2012 Nominations is Monday, January 23.

Cheryl Beckert, Carol Carter and Jane West have compiled 80 pages of the most interesting destinations in Auburndale, Davenport, Dundee, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales and right here in Winter Haven. Stop in for a copy and find out about all the places you didn’t know you needed to visit!

A perfect resource for visitors it is also ideal for stuffing in stockings this Christmas season. This useful and entertaining book is available in the Chamber Lobby for $12.95 plus tax. Lobby  hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Get your copy today and let Sweet P.E.A.S. challenge your GPS system while you play, eat and shop in east Polk — especially Winter Haven!

Discover the Sh-opportunities! Buy local!

Other tenant announcements are expected shortly.

Downtown Winter Haven is home to a delicious new way to cool down with a variety of great frozen yogurt flavors and special toppings!

Yogurt Grove is a self-serve frozen yogurt experience featuring 12 rotating flavors of delicious, authentic frozen yogurt and a wide variety of toppings. All of the Yogurts are low fat and feature probiotics, which can help promote a healthy digestive and immune system. They’re also a great source of protein and calcium. Since you pay by the ounce, you are in charge. Fill your cup to the top with your favorite flavors and toppings, or show some restraint and create a smaller indulgence. It’s up to you.   Kids and adults will love creating a treat with their own personal twist!  Chris and Laura Neal welcome you to this locally-owned home for frozen treats!

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Thursday:  11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

237 Central Avenue, Downtown across from the Ritz Theatre

(P-s-s-s-st! Try the peanut butter — it’s awesome!)

Enjoy their new Sunday Brunch: 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Brunch will include complimentary mimosa upon your arrival.

Carving stations feature roast beef and pork replete with Yorkshire pudding. You’ll also enjoy a soup and salad station. A delicious way to help a great cause … our Winter Haven public schools.

Tickets for the brunch are $22 each and available at Tanner’s or the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Lobby. $8 of every ticket will go to the Public Education Partnership project.

The Public Education Project or P.E.P. is a key recommendation of the Educational Outcomes Committee that evaluated Winter Haven schools earlier this year. It was Chaired by Doug Lockwood.

This is their first “P.E.P. Rally!” Come, bring a friend and help kickstart this important effort to improve our educational outcomes.

The Tennicks are well known restaurateurs having founded Tanner’s Pub and before that the Time Square Bistro. They currently operate the Plaza Cafe in the Six Ten Plaza (former Verizon building).

7/22/11 -Note: Debbie Tennick has confirmed the business will be called the Blue Room.

Watch for Grand Opening details.