7-11 Coming to Downtown?

[ronchamblin]

To have an existing business such as Magnificate forced to endure a very expensive move is very unfortunate, and could cause its demise.  They have always had excellent food for the lunch crowd, with a nice ambiance.  I hope that 7-11 can find a location other than the corner of Laura and Monroe.  What if 7-11 leased one of the spaces in the Elk's building?  We need net additions to the businesses in downtown, not harmful disruptions to existing businesses.

I've wondered about the nature of the 7-11 concept; that is, its ultimate impact in the downtown area.  Would having a 7-11 provide, over the long run,a net positive or a net negative for the downtown area?  Do we need these mini-Walmarts covering all product areas in a mediocre way, or do we ultimately want the downtown consumer needs to be filled by full blown retail shops providing excellence for our downtown consumers?

It reminds me of the Walmart concept, but on a smaller scale.  In other words, would the 7-11 store result ultimately in slowing the natural process of encouraging other retail opening; the types that cover consumer needs perhaps better, but only in limited product areas.  For example, someone mentioned earlier the idea of wishing for donuts within any new 7-11.  Would the fact of having donuts in the 7-11 ultimately slow down or prevent the entry of a full blown donut shop in the core area?  This idea could be said for the sandwiches offered by 7-11.

It seems better to have several full blown retail operations downtown, excelling in their specialization, than to have something like a 7-11, which offers a broad range of items, and of less quality; and this, simply because 7-11 cannot afford the space, nor the expertise to achieve excellence in all the products it has; an excellence that can be achieved by businesses dedicated to only one, or just several products.

I would rather have a full blown donut shop, providing excellence, than to have mediocre donuts supplied by a segment of a 7-11.  I would rather have a quality sandwich shop, than to have mediocre sandwiches shelved in a 7-11.  Although I don't smoke, I would rather have a full blown tobacco / pipe shop in the core, than to have several such items in a 7-11.  I would rather have a full blown package / lounge, selling a large spectrum of the evil alcohol, than to have a 7-11 selling only beer to go.   

Would a successful 7-11, operating in our city center, retard by subtle pressures, the future openings of other retail businesses?

     

[Jimmy]

Ron, you make some good points.  But it's not like that donut store, sandwich place, smoke shop, or liquor store are in the offing.  Downtown's dance card is empty at present.  If the lady won't dance with a respectable suitor like 7-11, she may not get to dance at all.

[thelakelander]

The 7-11s in DT San Diego and Orlando have not hampered their redevelopment. Judging from our peer cities, I'd say there's room for anyone willing to offer a quality product and service (although it would be nice to have an entity help with location selection). Let's add some mobile food trucks while we're at it.

[danno]

+++++ MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS!!

[fieldafm]

Downtown is about to get TWO more really good signings.

The deals that are being offered now are a VERY good thing for small business and downtown in general.  Expectation of rent is finally in line with a reasonable market rate.

Is this one? http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2011-08-11/story/fionn-maccools-open-jacksonville-landing

Nope, that deal was signed two weeks ago.

These two potential deals are new.

I have repeated it often the last few months... downtown is really starting to get small business interest b/c market expectations of rent are finally starting to look realistic.

[ronchamblin]

Ron, you make some good points.  But it's not like that donut store, sandwich place, smoke shop, or liquor store are in the offing.  Downtown's dance card is empty at present.  If the lady won't dance with a respectable suitor like 7-11, she may not get to dance at all.

The 7-11s in DT San Diego and Orlando have not hampered their redevelopment. Judging from our peer cities, I'd say there's room for anyone willing to offer a quality product and service (although it would be nice to have an entity help with location selection). Let's add some mobile food trucks while we're at it.

I see what you are saying.  I sometimes attempt to fit certain idealistic principles where the fit is lacking.  BTW, from a reliable source, I discovered that the 7-11 will not be coming into the Magnificat location.  In any case, when I imagine a 7-11 type of store in the beautiful, prime location at Magnificat, I cringe.  What a waste of an excellent location.  I must get used to the idea that the only place for a 7-11 is in some depressed area of the county, were it really makes sense to stock so many "essentials" for the surrounding homes.

But... if a 7-11 can survive in or near the city center..... why not.  Hopefully we will have more mainstream retail, of all types, entering the area soon.  If that happens, and the 7-11 is pushed out, so be it.

Mobile Food Trucks???  My initial reaction is, I hope they don't increase, as we need permanency... solid places, here to stay; not transient images, as would be at a flea market.  But.... again, we might say that we need "anything" that can survive at this point.  Okay, so I was being too idealistic, too controlling or restrictive. 

[thelakelander]

I see mobile food truck courts as an important segment of the tactical urbanism movement. We've got so many surface parking lots and dead spaces down here that it would take decades for them to fill in with permanent development. Located in the right spots, these concepts can help fill in the gaps with activity. Also, there an innovative way to support small business growth. As far as competition, I'm a believer of the free market and choice. Not everyone wants a sit down restaurant for every meal and not everyone wants a street vendor at all times either. However, having a choice is one of the great characteristics of urban living and the longer we keep and add regulations in place to stop choice and change from happening, the longer and more expensive the revitalization process will be.

[thelakelander]

As for 7-11, this past week (Im in LA right now), I've personally seen and photographed enough store locations to visually prove that these places can successfully exist and enhance any Jax specific environment.

[Dog Walker]

BTW, from a reliable source, I discovered that the 7-11 will not be coming into the Magnificat location.  In any case, when I imagine a 7-11 type of store in the beautiful, prime location at Magnificat, I cringe.  What a waste of an excellent location.

That is good news indeed!  Now maybe Benoit can sleep at night again.  He was pretty stressed.

[urbanlibertarian]

Even if an existing business is pushed out of a location they can still set up elsewhere.  Look at Lomax Lodge and Underbelly.

[downtownjag]

Downtown is about to get TWO more really good signings.

The deals that are being offered now are a VERY good thing for small business and downtown in general.  Expectation of rent is finally in line with a reasonable market rate.

Is this one? http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2011-08-11/story/fionn-maccools-open-jacksonville-landing

Nope, that deal was signed two weeks ago.

These two potential deals are new.

I have repeated it often the last few months... downtown is really starting to get small business interest b/c market expectations of rent are finally starting to look realistic.

Hint??

[emptycagegirl]

Avondale fought off 7-11 because they didn't want the kind of traffic that it might bring. Seems like there is more than ample mini marts at the gas stations in this area. I would hate to see a 7-11 be put in over a family business that could help better the community.

[thelakelander]

I think 7-11 has already purchased their lot and are moving forward with the conceptual design for a store on it in Avondale.

[acme54321]

Are you sure that the 7-11 has purchased the lot?  Property appraiser still shows the original owner.  That site seems to up date pretty quick, my house was in my name on there in 2 days.

[NavyGuyAN]

About dang time...A Slurppee sounds good right about now