Weird names in VA

Has anyone ever wondered about this?

Gas stations here have the oddest names: Wawa (with a bird as a logo) and Sheetz.  I pronounce the latter as a slow sh*t in a country drawl.  Yes, because it's funny.  I also saw a big box retail store called Gander Mountain.  I'm assuming this is like REI or Any Mountain.  It has a bird as a logo as well.  What is the fascination with birds here?

Chad doesn't understand why there is a grocery store chain named "Bloom."  It sounds more like a flower shop.  Other grocery stores names are: Giant (not only for tall people), Wegmans (which is actually supposedly the higher end - more on that later), and Food Lion (because lions are damn hungry).  I'll have to do an article lamenting the malls, and our giddy experience at Short Pump Town Center an hour and a half away.  Remind me.

Then there are places you drive by like the "Git N Go."  I am fascinated by this one and want to get a picture so that you'll believe me.  However, Chad is usually speeding by at 60 mph.  And no, that is not the speed limit.  I'm wondering what they specialize in.  Do they have liquor, chewing tobacco, and guns?

And every church here is a Baptist church with a small smattering of Catholic churches.  They have several with the word, "Zoan" or "Zion."  I can only assume it's like the one in "Ghostbusters" and that they are looking for the Gatekeeper.

Roads here are confusing.  More on that later too - with the numbers and having to use landmarks.  But a quick note on names: lots of roads are Plank Road for example or Old Plank Road, in that fashion.  So, when Chad and I pass those types of road, I made a funny bit of it by using a Southern old drawl from the "Lady and the Tramp" (specifically the dog Old Reliable), saying, "Oooollldd Plank Road.  Not New Plank Road.  It's not old enough.  Ollllldddd Plank Road."  It was much funnier when we were house hunting in Richmond when they had the Old Hundred Road.  "It's not the New Hundred Road.  It's not a 10 year old road.  It's the OLLLLDDD Hundred Road."  OK - I'm a silly billy.

Every pizza place besides the chains are named Mama's.  I guess it's to counteract the Papa's out there.  And we know who really does the cooking anyway in Italy (Mama).

Some of the roads and stores have names that sound like you're going to vomit.  Example:  there's a department store called, "Belk."  And there's a road here called, "Brock"

OMG - I actually saw an "Aflac" store too.  Never knew they existed!

I'll try and remember what other weirdo names I've been seeing.  I try to take a mental note, but as Shay says, "I don't have alzheimers.  I have some-timers."