7-11 Coming to Downtown?

Dog Walker · August 10, 2011, 03:27:17 PM

Learned today that 7-11 wants to rent the space currently occupied by the Magnificat Cafe, on the corner of Laura St. across the street from the Main Library, facing Hemming Plaza. They want to put an "urban 7-11" there.

The Cafe's lease is up and the owner doesn't know if he can meet the rent offered by 7-11. 7-11 is a Japanese company that has lots of money and is obviously expanding by opening new stores.

Do we need another convenience store downtown? Would there be a better location for a 7-11 downtown?

fsujax · August 10, 2011, 03:48:58 PM

11E location. where the old Starbucks used to be! better visibility.

Tacachale · August 10, 2011, 03:50:34 PM

I doubt 7-11 would consider this if it didn't think it could be successful downtown. Having another business downtown is certainly not a bad thing. It would be preferable if they'd take a currently unoccupied space rather than push out an existing business, but I don't know the Magnificat's situation.

tufsu1 · August 10, 2011, 03:58:42 PM

Quote from: Dog Walker on August 10, 2011, 03:27:17 PM
Do we need another convenience store downtown? Would there be a better location for a 7-11 downtown?

well realistically the only other one is Scotty's (unless you count the Shell station)....and 7-11 works more like a Gate store....many have food, whcih would work well for downtown workers and visitors to the library

Jumpinjack · August 10, 2011, 04:36:49 PM

Why push out a successful small business owner (serving food to downtown workers) to put in a 7-11?

Dog Walker · August 10, 2011, 04:42:18 PM

7-11 has also made an offer the the Firefighter's Union for the old church they own on the corner of Rosselle and Stockton Streets in Riverside. They want to tear down all of the buildings on that property and put in a really big 7-11. That location is directly across the street from the Gate station on Stockton.

The building is listed as a contributing building to the Riverside/Avondale Historic District so they might have an uphill fight to tear it down. Evidently they have made a really top dollar offer to the Union which has some pull in the City Council.

Jimmy · August 10, 2011, 04:43:38 PM

7-11 is taking the Jacksonville market very seriously, it seems.

thelakelander · August 10, 2011, 04:45:42 PM

I'd love a 7-11 in DT. Scottie Stores doesn't offer much selection. BTW, I'm about to go visit a new store in DT LA to take some pics to share with MJ.

fieldafm · August 11, 2011, 10:45:54 AM

Quote7-11 has also made an offer the the Firefighter's Union for the old church they own on the corner of Rosselle and Stockton Streets in Riverside. They want to tear down all of the buildings on that property and put in a really big 7-11. That location is directly across the street from the Gate station on Stockton.

The building is listed as a contributing building to the Riverside/Avondale Historic District so they might have an uphill fight to tear it down. Evidently they have made a really top dollar offer to the Union which has some pull in the City Council.

I understand that they have purchased the Avondale land as of Monday and are working with the Fireman's Union which is VERY willing to sell. You're right, it seems as though getting the ok to get that building demo'd through council is going to be an easy sell.

Dog Walker · August 11, 2011, 10:48:48 AM

I think they are going to have a fight on their hands in order to demo that building, especially since there is a Gate convenience store directly across the street. They will have a problem trying to justify a need for their store in the area when it involves the demolition of a contributing building.

JeffreyS · August 11, 2011, 10:56:09 AM

I am not anti 7-11 but I do want to see RAP make sure they operate up to the standards that have been so successful for riverside.

acme54321 · August 11, 2011, 10:58:34 AM

They should put one in San Marco too. Man if they build east san marco with a urban 7-11 that would be awesome.

thelakelander · August 11, 2011, 10:59:51 AM

How large is the old church building? I wonder if they'd be willing to open a store within the sanctuary instead of demolishing it? Also, send them to Springfield. There's lot of vacant property on Main.

Tacachale · August 11, 2011, 11:00:50 AM

^Which building is the church building? It's not one that can be moved, is it?

fieldafm · August 11, 2011, 11:06:01 AM

Quote from: thelakelander on August 11, 2011, 10:59:51 AM
How large is the old church building? I wonder if they'd be willing to open a store within the sanctuary instead of demolishing it? Also, send them to Springfield. There's lot of vacant property on Main.

It's very big.

They want that location to be a typical suburban-style gas station.
That's actually quite a good spot for them to do it to be 100% honest. BUT, tearing down that old church is not something I am in favor of at all.

RAP and the HPC is going to fight that tooth and nail, but the reality is Council is going to have a much different opinion on the matter.