7-Eleven Celebration @ Landing

[fieldafm]

I would also like to add... the rollout of 7-11 was something in the pipeline WAY before the Mobility Fee moratorium(along with multiple other developments currently breaking ground).

   

[ronchamblin]

Some have suggested that the free market and profit is king, and therefore one cannot blame any building owner from a decision to gain $6K per month as compared to $3K.  I’ve been persuaded that 7-Eleven now is not like the stores I remember in the fifties and sixties.  Thanks to the photos posted, it is clear that 7-Eleven can be an upscale image.  And I can imagine, with over fifty years of experience in store design and overall product offerings, that the chain can only be a positive to the environment at any corner they land upon.

Fundamentally the building asset is underused and developed by Benoit, being opened only four hours per day.  Given the competition for space on the corner, and the offer for $6K, Benoit has two options; to either open all day, or at least for breakfast, so that he can pay the $6K, or to move to a location he can afford by his opening only four or five hours per day.  The old Shelby’s location in the library would accommodate Benoit’s desire to open only for lunch, whereas the Worman location would better fit a breakfast through lunch plan. 

The entry of a 7-Eleven on the various corners will have the effect of offering competition to the neighbor businesses because they will have the funds to install to the max the best equipment so that whatever they offer will be of high quality.  In this economy they will have a pick of the best workers available to train via their experienced program.  Therefore, the overall impact will be positive, as it will improve quality of product offered, and will insure the demise of existing mediocrities in the area.  Look for improvements or failures in surrounding businesses such as Scotties on Adams.

Whereas Magnificat is a draw for only four hours per day, the 7-Eleven will be a draw all day long.  Increased activity in the area over longer periods, increased downtown workers, increased funding to the building owner, and therefore increased funding for building improvements and property taxes.




The 7-Eleven corporate fellows have probably been watching the area for a good while, watching the rather unimpressive utilization of spaces, the mediocre business plans, and the poor product and service mixes being offered.  They have sixty years of experience at engaging the marketplace.  In many ways, we all will learn from them as they set up the area stores, and for those who are flexible, the pressure of competition will improve their own profits as a result.

Once again, freedom reigns supreme in the wild marketplace.  Competition is king.  The survival of the fittest dynamic improves whatever survives, whether in life or in business.  Do it right, or do it to the max, or get out.

Magnificat I presume still has a chance to exercise his option to pay more at the location.  I would rather see 7-Eleven enter into a non-occupied building in the area, and not one that is already occupied.  The disruption of his business during a move is going to be quite costly.  The positive side of any move however is that one can plan a perfect layout at the new location.  Unfortunately for Beniot, his corner is highly desirable, as it is one of “the” prime corners for our soon-to-be….. well…. hopefully….. downtown recovery.       
 
 

[acme54321]

Channel 4 just said 80 new stores in the metro area (duval, clay, St johns)

[I-10east]

Many of these 7-Elevens are gonna be in suburban areas, and everyone 'knows' that's definitely not good for Jax; Therefore I'm gonna say the mandatory "Great, more suburban sprawl!" post, now I spared MJ posters from saying that facsimile post, and everything here is back to normal.   

[thelakelander]

Hmm....lots of potential mobility fee money lost....

[fsujax]

Now Lake you know it's because the city suspended the mobility fee that 7-Eleven is now going to build all these new stores!

[thelakelander]

^Lol, yes, I'm sure the CEO of a company with +40,000 stores in 16 countries that has been opening stores at an average of every two hours worldwide, has been losing sleep because Jacksonville having a transportation impact fee.  Only a fool would believe such a thing.



Anyway, since they want as many as 80 stores in the metro area, I'd love to see them put in a walkable store somewhere between 6th and 9th on Main Street in Springfield.

[tufsu1]

^ San Diego?

[JeffreyS]

^Lol, yes, I'm sure the CEO of a company with +40,000 stores in 16 countries that has been opening stores at an average of every two hours worldwide, has been losing sleep because Jacksonville having a transportation impact fee.  Only a fool would believe such a thing.

Particularly when the first two stores they are opening would have been in the low fee area.  No I don't think anyone who looks at the mobility fee moratorium for more than a second thinks the City Council's intent was to do anything good for their constituents. They have made very clear it is a members only GOB insider sellout.

[thelakelander]

^ San Diego?

Yes.  Across the street from PETCO Park.

[thelakelander]

^Lol, yes, I'm sure the CEO of a company with +40,000 stores in 16 countries that has been opening stores at an average of every two hours worldwide, has been losing sleep because Jacksonville having a transportation impact fee.  Only a fool would believe such a thing.

Particularly when the first two stores they are opening would have been in the low fee area.  No I don't think anyone who looks at the mobility fee moratorium for more than a second thinks the City Council's intent was to do anything good for their constituents. They have made very clear it is a members only GOB insider sellout.

Yeah, the store at Forsyth & Julia would pay nothing since its an existing storefront in an area (downtown) that is exempt from the mobility fee.  The State & Main site would be considered a redevelopment site so it would be close to nil if it were not also in downtown (exempt).  I believe they are also converting an existing gas station to a 7-Eleven near the airport.  In that case, that fee would have been close to nothing also.  The majority of the other initial locations aren't even in Jax.

[ronchamblin]

It's interesting that nothing was said in the TU about the Magnificate location.  I'm now wondering if the owners of the Magnificat building are bluffing in order to get Benoit to open more hours so that he can pay more rent.  IMO he probably should open more hours, at least for breakfast, so that he can obtain a lease, and remain there.  The place is closed most of the day.  But........ maybe its just the way he wants to do it. 

[Dog Walker]

 Benoit was a head chef at some major restaurants and hotels for years.  At age 42 he met Kathy and decided he wanted a life and family; something not possible when you are working from 10AM til Midnight, seven days a week.  His decision to open only four hours a day was a lifestyle choice.

He actually works more hours than that since all of his food is prepared from scratch.  If you haven't tried one of his quiche, you are missing a treat.  The carrot and ginger soup is simply fantastic and unique.  We can't duplicate it, but not for lack of trying.

[fieldafm]

Businesses must adapt sometimes. 

A solution could be either the old Shelbys location in the library(whose operating hours segway nicely with Magnificant's current hours-and could further activate the public space that is Hemming Plaza by adding more active uses in the area)  OR something that would fit one's lifestyle even better- a food truck (which could also serve to activate the Hemming Plaza area assuming an urban walk up 7-11 moves in).

[ben says]

Benoit was a head chef at some major restaurants and hotels for years.  At age 42 he met Kathy and decided he wanted a life and family; something not possible when you are working from 10AM til Midnight, seven days a week.  His decision to open only four hours a day was a lifestyle choice.

He actually works more hours than that since all of his food is prepared from scratch.  If you haven't tried one of his quiche, you are missing a treat.  The carrot and ginger soup is simply fantastic and unique.  We can't duplicate it, but not for lack of trying.

His food is good, no doubt. I don't think anyone, including Ron, is really trying to undercut Benoit personally. Clearly he's a great chef and deserves to run a restaurant however he wants and wherever he wants. That being said, I think it's natural for others, like us, to "wish he was open more hours" or "which he was in another location." As I've said numerous times, I think he would do a good business at the old Wormans location (but, like his current location, that would require him opening more hours). I also wish there was a Magnificat (and a Chamblin's, for that matter) in 5 Points (old Fuel space, or the place next to Cozy Tea?). Wishing he was open more hours is flattery (in addition to our thoughts on his business model)--"Hey, Benoit, we like your food, stay open more!" From the public standpoint, he's blatantly underusing that spot.