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."