There is nothing better than stumbling into a 7-11 at 2 in the morning for a crusty hot dog covered in liquid cheese. Their entire concept was made to order for guys like myself. 7-11 carries everything a person actually needs to survive in the world today: Beer, burritos, and cigarettes.
Lately though, I have noticed an alarming trend. The once ubiquitous 7-11 seems to be slowly disappearing from the urban landscape. This observation is based primarily upon what I have noticed locally, in the Seattle area. It could be that the Pacific Northwest is just not a good territory for 7-11, and everywhere else they are doing fine.
I doubt it though. 7-11’s own website is pretty telling. While championing the greatness of the company by citing recent achievements, one can hardly fail to notice the inevitable decline of this once legendary retailer.
For example, they proudly mention that in 2005, 7-11 finally reappeared in Manhattan after a 23 year absence. Just think about that one for a moment. We all know of the ridiculous rents and other attendant difficulties in operating a business in New York City. But for a company of 7-11's stature to not have a store in the world’s retail showcase since 1982 is simply unbelievable.
There is also 7-11’s reappearance on the NYSE in 2000 to contend with. Again, the factoid raises more questions than it answers. How bad did profits get for the company to be removed from the stock market in the first place?
Finally, there is the international division of the corporation, which seems to be supporting everything. With a global presence of 28,000, compared to the US 5,700, clearly the good old USA ain’t what it used to be for 7-11.
A brief reflection on the history of the company makes their US decline even sadder. As the Southland Ice Company, they pioneered the idea of the convenience store in 1927. In 1946, 7-11 were renamed in honor of their unheard of extended hours, open from 7 until 11. Way back in 1963, 7-11 became the first stores to stay open 24 hours a day.
Article comments
1 - klondikekitty
This is hilarious, thanks so much for writing it, Greg -- God knows when I was living in an apartment in West St. Paul (MN), I made many late-night trips to a nearby 7-11 for those little pints of chocolate marshmallow ice cream, cigarettes and mystery-meat burgers -- and no, you probably won't see any celebs shopping in them any time soon . . . thanks for the laugh, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for 7-11s, so many times they were the only stores still open after 10 pm!
2 - Greg Barbrick
Thank you klondikekitty, (great name), I think we have all done the 7-11 gig, and sometimes are embarassed about it. Not us!! Have a good weekend.
3 - Ruvy
Greg,
The mere fact that you like the shit 7-11 serves does not make you a loser. Stop putting yourself down, man. Someone has to eat shit.
The problem these C-stores face is not necessarily going yuppie. They face Wal-mart and Cub Foods and other places opening up 24/7 and including in them pathetic stands selling even more pathetic hot dogs and cheese food made into a liquid for guys like you who shy away from a real piece of cheese.
It isn't that I don't like C-stores. When I lived in the States, I used to go to the C-stores attached to SuperAmerica gas stations (another problem 7-11 has - C-stores attached to gas stations) and buy candy bars of various kinds, and fill up the gas tank at all sorts of weird hours, just like you do. When we lived in St. Paul, the 7-11 near our apartment just couldn't make it. There was no gas station attached, and there weren't enough kids with spare change to ice cream cones, hot dogs with cheese or cigarettes for their "parents" (Cough, cough). So first it turned into a "Q" store, and then finally closed shop altogether. Last I saw, it was some kind of babysitting joint.
Now that we live in a little village in the Samarian mountains in Israel, I could use a place to go to, a coffee shop, a bar, something to get me out of the house and away from this damned computer. The nearest C-store is attached to a gas station in Ofrá and everything in it is so damned expensive it is decidedly inconvenient. But at least there are no hot dogs with cheese spread - the stuff just ain't kosher, and the owner, if he tried to sell it there, would be out on his ass.
Good read, Greg!
4 - Greg Barbrick
Wow Ruvy, excellent perspective. As "liberal" as I am, I still write from such an insulated view of the world. Your comments made me think. And I am glad you enjoyed the piece.
5 - Joanne Huspek
Dang, Kitty. I think I lived by that 7-11 in West St. Paul too.
I don't go, except the coffee rocks. It kicks butt over McD's coffee and is much cheaper.