Wawa: We'd stay, but we keep getting robbed

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney reacted to the closure of two Wawa convenience stores struggling with crime by denying that the move is a “bad omen.”

Wawa, which has locations in multiple states along the East Coast, announced on Thursday that the company would close two locations in Center City, the main business district in Philadelphia and home to City Hall. Both stores had been contracting private security services due to an increase in thefts.

“Despite reducing hours and investing in additional operational measures, continued safety and security challenges and business factors have made it increasingly difficult to remain open in these two locations,” Wawa spokeswoman Lori Bruce said in a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She added that the “difficult decision” occurred after careful deliberation and efforts to overcome “external operating challenges.”