Much-loved 'Delco' convenience store Wawa pays homage to HBO hit 'Mare of Easttown' with free coffee, new cheesesteak

• "Mare of Easttown" made Wawa a national and internet phenomenon during its seven-week run on HBO.
• Now, the Pennsylvania-based convenience store is honoring the murder mystery with free offerings.
• Stores in Delaware County also introducing a limited-edition "Mare of Easttown" Spicy Cheesesteak.

Wawa is witnessing a renaissance.

To its ardent clientele, the allure of the cherished convenience store never abated. But the Pennsylvania-based chain, which has locations along the Eastern Seaboard, has undeniably captured the nation's attention in recent weeks as the unlikely supporting character of HBO's hit TV series "Mare of Easttown," about a female detective investigating a murder in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Now, the market, inexplicably tied to Pennsylvania and known for its coffee and hoagies, is paying homage to the crime show that made it a trending Twitter topic for seven Sundays in a row.

To celebrate a new store opening in Delco - the affectionate nickname for the Pennsylvania county where the Kate Winslet-led murder mystery is set - Wawa is designating Thursday "Mare of Easttown Day," and offering the store's first 100 customers a cup of its legendary coffee and a "Wawa Delco" T-shirt, free of charge.

In addition, all 42 Wawa stores in Delco will add a limited-edition "Mare of Easttown" Spicy Cheesesteak" to its menu for one week. The culinary choice is a nod to "how spicy" the show is, according to a press release.

Also in attendance at the new store's grand opening will be Chester County Detective Christine Bleiler, who served as a police technical adviser on the show and became Winslet's 'go-to person" as the British Oscar winner transformed into the detective sergeant with a Delco-approved southeastern Pennsylvania accent to boot.

In press interviews during the run of the series, Winslet and costar Evan Peters frequently and fervently steered the conversations toward their mutual adoration for the convenience store.

"It almost felt like a mythical place … Wawa," Winslet told the Los Angeles Times.

-ashley ✨ (@SHUTUPitsASH) June 2, 2021

Wawa will also honor local police and fire officials at the Thursday opening, donating money to their charities of choice, as well as $10,000 to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, according to The Associated Press.

Earlier this month, Jennifer Wolf, Wawa public relations supervisor, told Eater the chain was honored to have played such a prominent role in the much-discussed show.

"We are so proud and humbled to be included in such an authentic and heartfelt show that honors our Delco region," Wolf told the outlet. "And even prouder to call Kate a true Wawa customer!"

In a press release Tuesday, the company said it wants to "celebrate the authenticity of the show as it depicts the culture and resilience of a community that stands by one another during good times and bad, and shines a light on everyday heroes who go to great lengths to serve their community."