Wawa — Restaurant in Stroudsburg

Subject: Formal Complaint – Racial Profiling at WaWa (Stroudsburg, PA – Main Street

I’m writing to file a formal complaint about a troubling experience of racial profiling at the WaWa located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA — a store I’ve lived just 500 feet from my entire life. I’m 18 years old, an honors and AP student about to graduate high school, and WaWa has always been part of my daily life. I’ve been going to this exact location since I was a child — grabbing breakfast before school, hanging out with friends after class, and enjoying your seasonal specials like Hoagiefest.

This isn’t just a store to me — it’s a part of my community and neighborhood. I’ve known many people who’ve worked there over the years. In fact, the current general manager is a neighbor of mine. She usually works the night shift, keeps the store clean and running smoothly, and makes some of the best food I’ve ever had from any WaWa. That’s why what happened recently has been such a major setback — both personally and emotionally.

Back in February, I was wrongly accused of stealing by a newer employee named “Torcia” (or “Porticia”) after simply grabbing a napkin. This same employee had previously made a racially charged comment to my brother in November, remarking to a Spanish woman in line that she was surprised someone “like her” could live here so long and still not know how to count change. We ignored it and moved on.

But on May 15th, around 4 PM yesterday , it happened again.

After walking home in the sun beaming heat and rain, I stopped at a local MiniMart for Arizona drinks (which WaWa doesn’t carry) and placed one i was drinking in my small black bag from the minimart before even entering the store because I assumed she’d be working there because it’s daytime just like in February . I walked into WaWa sweating and tired, wiped my face with a napkin, and told my brother on FaceTime I was heading to the restroom to wipe my self off. Before I could even enter, someone inside slammed the only stall door with tissue. I ignored it, grabbed a my two Butterfingers, and got in line.

That’s when “Torcia” confronted me again — in front of a full line of 8 customers — saying: “You gonna take what you put in that black bag and then ran into the bathroom with?”

I was stunned to speak . I turned my phone camera from myself to her to show my brother, and once she saw she might be recorded, she quickly stormed off to the hoagie area and passed me off to another employee. That second employee immediately understood I wasn’t stealing — she saw that the Arizona drink wasn’t even sold at your store. She treated me with respect. But the damage had already been done. I was embarrassed, humiliated, and made to feel like a criminal — again in front of everyone and that’s what hurt .

This was public, targeted, and racially motivated. I no longer feel safe or welcome in the store I grew up with. That hurts more than I can explain. Please review the camera footage from May 15th and February if possible . I ask that you hold this very employee “ Torcia “ accountable and ensure this kind of behavior has no place in WaWa — especially not in a community so closely connected to the store.

Racial profiling is not only unjust — it’s damaging and someone one individual won’t forget . And it doesn’t just push away one loyal customer — it chips away at the trust of an...

The food is always good but they don't always keep the deli stocked. Like I get supply and demand but there has been times this location has been just closed down without warning or real explanation despite it being a 24 hour business. There was a period of time where it would close at 10pm for 3 weeks straight and resume its 24 hour schedule randomly. During these "closed" times they weren't (this is only an assumption) getting enough trucks to restock anything or at all to justify the nonsensical and abrupt hours of operation. The only explanation I ever got or seen was a piece of paper saying, "Store closed. Sorry for inconvenience." In black sharpie taped to the door. Classy. This place makes me scratch my head sometimes.

As far as the staff is concerned I don't have much of an issue with anyone there. Except this one woman, I'm not sure of her name but she's tall, middle aged, thin, short gray hair and is usually working behind the deli counter. I have certain food allergies so my diet is pretty limited thus being limited on what I can order. So to keep things interesting for me and all quality of life as far as food goes, I do order some pretty peculiar things. Like the whole point of having open selection is to get whatever you want, right? Not according to this lady. Everytime I come in and get literally anything I always hear a remark of, "...who gets X with Y!? And it's only 10am!" In this judgemental tone to where it almost sounds like she's complaining that she has to prepare it or something. I would always let it go and not say anything but she was doing it for a few years. I said to her once, "Your job is to serve customers and make food. Not commentate on it." She was taken back for a second and then rolled her eyes.

I really hope she finds a job better suited for her and she finds happiness with in it.

Anyway....

I live sorta live close by and I go there pretty often to get snacks or tea (that Chai tea tho) so I can confidently say when they are actually open, stocked, and staffed, it's all Gucci. Take only one of those out of the equation? Random shut down or out of stock of anything actually good to where they should actually just close but don't makes this place wildly...

I have been a Wawa person since I could drive a car no more. The food has become inedible. I got a crispy spicy chicken ranch sandwich. The chicken was so rubbery and crunchy that my first bite bounced off of the chicken. My wife’s breakfast burrito we asked for jalapeños in it. There were so many pickled jalapeños in it you could taste nothing else. I’m tired of spending money on food that can’t be finished and that frankly no one wants to finish. I think Wawa needs to stop branching out and get back to basics. Make a good sandwich. Not even convinced you can do that anymore. Good luck I think I’ll become a...