Is Avondale Ready For A 7-Eleven?

[JeffreyS]

I think 7-Eleven would be wise to have a rendering of what they are thinking in order to get public input.  I know my opinion would vary widely based on the context of the building and how it interacted with the surroundings. 

[Jaxson]

Traditionally, 7-Eleven stores looked like...











But, even then, they opened locations with local geography and context in mind... 





But, of course, we have to be more sensitive than just slapping on a different roof to make it Florida-friendly.  Take a look at 7-Eleven in Bergen, Norway...



or Copenhagen, Demark...



How very Continental!  If those rednecks across the pond can tolerate a convenience store among their ancient and storied buildings, we could survive having one in A-vahn-duh-lay! 

FUN FACT: According to Pleasant Family Shopping's blog, the first 7-Eleven locations outside of Texas were opened in Jacksonville and Miami in 1954. 

Source: http://pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com/

[Captain Zissou]

I think 7-Eleven would be wise to have a rendering of what they are thinking in order to get public input.  I know my opinion would vary widely based on the context of the building and how it interacted with the surroundings. 

I agree.  I am somewhere between extremely opposed to this and perfectly fine with it, but it all depends on the design and layout of the site.

[duvaldude08]

Jacksonville: Where Florida Begins and Where That Small Town Mindset Flourishes

This should definately be our slogan. This is why people call us country. Someone made a statement that I tend to agree with about Jacksonville. There is nothing wrong with our southern charm. However, we are country and small minded. This is a HUGE henderence to this city. Let's be  OPEN MINDED for a change. We want everything for Jacksonville, but shoot down everything that is proposed. UGH!!

[JaxNative68]

Does anyone remember the Magic Marts that used to be in the area in the early 70's?  If I remember correctly they had a psuedo milton glaser double M logo in blue and green.

[MusicMan]

Interesting fact: The old Mexican Cantina is also for sale (3644 St Johns).  This offers a larger building, at 4700 sq feet, a complete commercial kitchen, a full bar plus a package store. Also on a corner. Did 7-Eleven look there? The asking price is $1.9 million, which seems a better deal by far. They could use the existing structure and sell off the package store and avoid the costs of new contruction.  Seems like a better option all the way around.

[north miami]

"7-Eleven" instills all sorts of images,assumptions.

Apparently news of the Avondale Eleven is out there,some have come to me with devilish self righteous 'so there goes your neighborhood!' ....'Avondale!!??' quips.Some gloat at the prospect of altered state,the 'inevitable' punch through the veil.Curious.

Indeed,one of the first 7-Eleven (as was Burger King) was located in my native childhood 'can do','growing' North Miami ,which has since declined in such a way as to make one very protective,reactive.

But knee jerk reaction to an Avondale location is probably not fair.
Had the proposal been described as local grocery,elevations,artist rendition clearly available the response may have been different.

Personally I feel the Citizen's Overlay accommodation of up two or more floors on the property is the most provocative revelation.Classic in how this works.
We could rename,reposition the Shoppes of Avondale to Downtown Avondale.

Slurpies,candy bars,donuts..........what would the goods offered look like in an Avondale style convenience store??

"Our tastes often improve at the expense of our happiness"- Jules Renard

[L.P. Hovercraft]

At what point does 7-11 say "Whoa! This is a lot of pushback and discussion over a convenience store! Nevermind, you guys! Sorry we asked!"

News4Jax front page story, for example: "Store Owners Fight Against Jax 7-Eleven" Here's a quote: "Members of the Avondale community are making their voices heard on Facebook, too. Avondale residents have started a page called "Avondale Says NO! To Convenience Stores!" The page was set up by a store in the center of Avondale called Cowford Traders."

If Avondale residents do decide they don't want a 7-Eleven in their neighborhood, I would hope 7-11 would look at Avondale's red headed stepbrother, Riverside.  There are some vacant/sketchy spots that could probably benefit from the additional foot traffic 24 hour a day Slurpee access could generate.  Maybe the empty Fuel spot in 5 Pts (wasn't that spot a 5 and Dime store originally?) or maybe someplace around the King St district--I'm looking at you Norman's Food Store at Post and King!  (Ok, I guess beer is food!)  There's also that big empty house over by Riverside Park by Pizza Palace, though that would probably be better suited for some other use.

[fieldafm]

Interesting fact: The old Mexican Cantina is also for sale (3644 St Johns).  This offers a larger building, at 4700 sq feet, a complete commercial kitchen, a full bar plus a package store. Also on a corner. Did 7-Eleven look there? The asking price is $1.9 million, which seems a better deal by far. They could use the existing structure and sell off the package store and avoid the costs of new contruction.  Seems like a better option all the way around.

A restaurant chain was kicking the tires on Montys earlier in the year.  Nothing has come to fruition on that deal and likely won't at this point.

Quite honestly, the old Shell station spot gives them the best opportunity to build a context sensitive urban walk up store the neighborhood would be proud of... and would further activate the street, especially on Sundays and weekday off hours where the strip is mostly void of a lot of foot traffic.  This would actually HELP the surrounding businesses.

I can tell you one thing, a particular reatailer on this stip has lost my business over their vocal displeasure of recent commercial interests in that commercial district.(not just the 7-11)

[ChriswUfGator]

Interesting fact: The old Mexican Cantina is also for sale (3644 St Johns).  This offers a larger building, at 4700 sq feet, a complete commercial kitchen, a full bar plus a package store. Also on a corner. Did 7-Eleven look there? The asking price is $1.9 million, which seems a better deal by far. They could use the existing structure and sell off the package store and avoid the costs of new contruction.  Seems like a better option all the way around.

It's been "unofficially" for sale for the past 5 or 6 years, and officially for sale for the past couple years. But at $2mm, it's probably going to sit on the market until kingdom come, or until their broker gets sick of dealing with it and drops the listing. Not sure who would pay $2mm for a small 4k square foot building with no parking.

[duvaldude08]

I cant believe we ae debating over a store. And another thread debating over a movie theater. Geez, Us duvalians can be quite petty. I wonder citizens in other major cities debate over such silliness. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

There's not much of a debate imo.  There are a few that just don't want it (i.e. not open for debate) and the rest of us are in a wait-until-I-see-the-design mode and then I'll make a rational decision. 

Maybe then we can debate it.

[duvaldude08]

There's not much of a debate imo.  There are a few that just don't want it (i.e. not open for debate) and the rest of us are in a wait-until-I-see-the-design mode and then I'll make a rational decision. 

Maybe then we can debate it.

+1000 we can debate over something that does not exsist. Show me a rendering and I'll make a decision as well.

[logical]

It is interesting that probably ALL of the posts are from folks who have never stepped into a 'newer' 7-11 built by the company which now owns the name.  I have been in three, and each one would shame the best designed Starbucks.  One postee showed his ignorance by saying that the Avondale 7-11 would be a stucco building.  That statement was just d-u-m-b. 

The new 7-11s I was in had mom's with kids, some pushing strollers, folks sitting in a neighborhood friendly outdoor-cafe-setting, sipping a latte' and pecking a laptop, and a fairly steady walk-in traffic buying the normal foodstuff, drinks, snacks.  The staff were pleasant, polite and gave the impression that each customer was special.

But facts do not seem to matter to many postees...for example, the business owner who almost immediately put up a poo-poo website without knowing diddly.  I hear he was also against the 'N Town Bistro, Mojo's, the Town Center project. and his once-best friend.  I would bet the farm he is even against his own business.

"Avondalers" should be thankful that the owner(s) of the property have been good neighbors by allowing such things as snow slides, Christmas trees and other friendly acts for all of us to enjoy.  Their track record deserves our trust that the property will pass to good hands

Let us all take a breath,  let the prospective buyer continue to work with RAP and see what the buyer ultimately proposes in the way of building style, amenities, et al.  And feel lucky that the property has not been leased to a "Gentleman's Club", a "Sports Bar", or a pawn shop, all of which can be put there under the CCG1 zoning. 

[north miami]

I cant believe we ae debating over a store. And another thread debating over a movie theater. Geez, Us duvalians can be quite petty. I wonder citizens in other major cities debate over such silliness. 

Sure they do.Major small towns,hamlets too.