PHILADELPHIA-Everybody loves it when a local kid makes itbig. We take pride in the fact that our region spawned suchtalent, having pride that somehow, some way, our local way of lifewas responsible for their success.

While Wawa Food Markets are certainly not actual offspring ofPhiladelphia proper, the entire Delaware Valley has treated thestores as our progeny regardless. “Wawa,” a Native Americanword for the Canada Goose which serves as an emblem on its logo,has been a local favorite for coffee, sandwiches and conveniencestore products since the first store’s inception in 1964. Wawa hasalways called their sandwiches hoagies, and not subs or heros,winning the acclaim and loyalty of Philadelphians.

To the locals, it has become as much a part of the region ascheesesteaks and soft pretzels. There are even Facebook Pagesdedicated to Wawa with over half a million fans. But now, thelocals are turning. It seems as though Wawa, once thought ofas a burgeoning entrepreneurial dairy farm business, has become theproverbial 400 pound gorilla who evokes shades of "Walmart-like"dominance.