7-Eleven Shutters Controversial St. Mark's Place Store

NEW YORK -- 7-Eleven Inc. closed the doors on its St. Mark’s Place store just 18 months after its presence on the historic block caused a neighborhood uproar.

The New York Post reported that a blogger saw trucks emptying the convenience store on St. Mark's Place between Bowery and 2nd Avenue of gear and merchandise on Sunday.

As CSNews Online previously reported, the East Village location -- on a street dotted with tattoo and piercing parlors -- was part of 7-Eleven's growth strategy to introduce 20 new stores to the city annually until 2017. However, local residents and business owners cried foul when the Dallas-based retailer opened shop on the historic New York block. They argued the corporate store did not fit in with the neighborhood.

With the closing of the St. Mark's Place store, two 7-Eleven stores remain operating in the neighborhood, according to the Post.

Although many who spoke with the news outlet were not sad to see the store go, one business owner said he felt sorry for the location's 7-Eleven franchisee.

Despite facing opposition from the beginning, some will miss the convenience store. One local pet store manager pointed to 7-Eleven's convenience and lower prices -- and the little tacos -- as things he will miss about the business.

 

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