CONWAY — Since news broke that famed Pennsylvania gas station chain Wawa plans to open its first South Carolina store in Horry County, hundreds of people cheered on social media.
“It would be mobbed! You could not go near it for months,” Julie Hendricks said on The Post and Courier’s Facebook page.
“It’s the one store I’ve been missing for 14 years,” Diane Furst Costello said. “Now I want a hoagie!”
But dozens of property owners near the Bridgewater subdivision in Little River aren’t as hungry for the concept, roaring in disapproval Nov. 3 after the county’s planning commission authorized a land use change clearing Wawa’s way on a 3.14-acre parcel along S.C. Highway 9.
“Bull****!” one man yelled from the crowd.
An Horry County sheriff’s deputy clears the room during a Nov. 5, 2026 planning commission meeting.
“Thank you for caring about life,” another woman said as an Horry County sheriff’s deputy took the rare step of removing attendees from the meeting to avoid further distraction.
Despite any opposition, however, there was little county officials could do but support the request due to its underlying zone classification.
“It’s basically approved already except for pumps and the car wash, so it’s the same amount of traffic, same amount of customers,” planning commission member Bunky Ford said. “There’s a lot worse things that could go there than a convenience store.”
Bridgewater is a 530-acre planned development with nearby golf courses, multiple recreational facilities and upscale, boutique restaurants.
“Bridgewater … offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with the convenience of having everyday essentials, outdoor recreation, dining, shopping, healthcare, and entertainment all close to home,” its marketing materials say.
Joe Keown said many of its residents are retired and chose the area because of its quality of life.
