News 7-Eleven Planning 15 area stores

[JeffreyS]

http://www.csnews.com/top-story-7_eleven_returns_to_jacksonville_after_22_year_hiatus-60715.html

Mar 20, 2012
7-Eleven Returns to Jacksonville After 22-Year Hiatus

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- 7-Eleven will make its triumphant return to Jacksonville, Fla., tomorrow.

The city, whose motto is "Where Florida Begins," will perhaps become "Where 7-Eleven Returns" once it opens new convenience stores here.

The occasion will be celebrated with a 10:30 a.m. press conference at Jacksonville Landing, reported The Florida Times-Union. Joe DePinto, CEO of 7-Eleven Inc. and Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown are expected to be on hand at the event, where free Slurpees will be provided to the public.

According to the news outlet, 7-Eleven left Jacksonville in 1990 when it sold 16 convenience stores to Gate Petroleum. The world's largest c-store chain has not returned since.

The newspaper added that it is unknown how many Jacksonville c-stores 7-Eleven will open, but sources have stated the number will be 15.

7-Eleven has been gearing up for its return to Jacksonville by posting a slew of signs around the city. The signs state, "I'm Back Jacksonville. 7-Eleven is coming back and we're bringing more stores, more jobs and more franchise opportunities. Let's Take Back Jacksonville Together."

[Dog Walker]

Unfortunately one of the downtown stores wants to push out the Magnificat Cafe, the only real French bistro lunch place in Jacksonville.  There are so many vacant storefronts in downtown it is a shame to shut down a successful and popular place.  The owner promised Benoit that he could stay there as long as he wanted, but she passed away and son just sees dollar signs.

Benoit DeClef is a classically trained French chef and his food is simple and fantastic.

Magnificat Cafe is across the street from the library and next door to Gus's Shoes and Chamblins Bookmine Downtown.

[thelakelander]

That's the natural market at work and you can't fault the building owner for wanting to make a profit on their real estate investment.  Hopefully, the City will work with Magnificat to find a suitable relocation within downtown.  Personally, I think the old Shelby's spot right across the street would be a great location.

[Kay]

Good rumor also had it that they wanted to locate store and gas station on Stockton and Phyliis and demolish a historic building in the process.  Considering we already have two gas stations on that corner, 7-11 will not be welcome there.

[tufsu1]

^ seems like that excluding them solely because there are already 2 gas stations would run contrary to our market-based economy.....sure there would be hurdles for them to overcome (demolishing a historic building is a pretty big one), but I would hope they'd be welcome if their design fit neighborhood's context.

[Adam W]

It's interesting to see that 7-Eleven will be offering franchises in Jax. Florida was always a corporate-only division of the company. I wonder when that changed.

I think 7-Eleven will do really well in Jax. Especially if they're smart when it comes to choosing locations. Avondale was a great idea. Too bad it fell through.

[duvaldude08]

It's interesting to see that 7-Eleven will be offering franchises in Jax. Florida was always a corporate-only division of the company. I wonder when that changed.

I think 7-Eleven will do really well in Jax. Especially if they're smart when it comes to choosing locations. Avondale was a great idea. Too bad it fell through.

They already know they are a hit. They packed up and left because of the deal with gate, otherwise they would have still been here.

[ben says]

Unfortunately one of the downtown stores wants to push out the Magnificat Cafe, the only real French bistro lunch place in Jacksonville.  There are so many vacant storefronts in downtown it is a shame to shut down a successful and popular place.  The owner promised Benoit that he could stay there as long as he wanted, but she passed away and son just sees dollar signs.

Benoit DeClef is a classically trained French chef and his food is simple and fantastic.

Magnificat Cafe is across the street from the library and next door to Gus's Shoes and Chamblins Bookmine Downtown.

I agree with everything you said about Benoit's. That being said, this is how the corporate-friendly, uber-capitalist society (that we all claim to love) works. If I owned a space, I'd have a hard time turning down 6k a month, if previously I was making 3k.

I think this can be a win-win for both sides, personally. I think Benoit's place would do much better closer to the new courthouse than it ever did on the square. As I said on the other forum, I think the old Worman spot is a goldmine.

[Kay]

^ seems like that excluding them solely because there are already 2 gas stations would run contrary to our market-based economy.....sure there would be hurdles for them to overcome (demolishing a historic building is a pretty big one), but I would hope they'd be welcome if their design fit neighborhood's context.

Actually, I think it is a perfectly legitimate reason.  Does not benefit the neighborhood to have three such uses in one block.  I'm not talking about a convenience store only.  There are plenty of current convenience stores I'd be happy to see them locate in and make better than what exits. 

[Adam W]

It's interesting to see that 7-Eleven will be offering franchises in Jax. Florida was always a corporate-only division of the company. I wonder when that changed.

I think 7-Eleven will do really well in Jax. Especially if they're smart when it comes to choosing locations. Avondale was a great idea. Too bad it fell through.

They already know they are a hit. They packed up and left because of the deal with gate, otherwise they would have still been here.

Not necessarily true. 7-Eleven pulled out of all markets where they were not the dominant chain due to financial issues they were having at that time. They sold their business in N FL to Gate because they were struggling there. Of course, times change.

[tufsu1]

^ seems like that excluding them solely because there are already 2 gas stations would run contrary to our market-based economy.....sure there would be hurdles for them to overcome (demolishing a historic building is a pretty big one), but I would hope they'd be welcome if their design fit neighborhood's context.

well ok then....7-Eleven, unlike Gate, operates many convenience-only stroes.....WaWa, a competing chain from up in the Philly area, is currently expanding into Tampa and Orlando...many of their stores will not sell gas.
Actually, I think it is a perfectly legitimate reason.  Does not benefit the neighborhood to have three such uses in one block.  I'm not talking about a convenience store only.  There are plenty of current convenience stores I'd be happy to see them locate in and make better than what exits.