7-Eleven

I’ve been here maybe once sober. Who would pay for this stuff sober? I usually came in after leaving a bar or club. Usually not too smashed but there are times I’ve been here that I don’t remember being here until I find the bag or the receipt which I asked the cashier for or the left over goodies. I’ve come here for the premade sandwiches and the not-​good-​for-​me sweets like cake, cookies, or pie. I left the area in June so maybe it closed after that. Who knows? Maybe it will reopen?

Proof that God loves drunks and Uptown Theater patrons, this 7-​Eleven serves those two constituencies perfectly, and as far as I can tell, no one else. Their fine selection of Combos, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, and 24 oz diet Dr. Pepper are perfect for stocking up before catching a film at Uptown, and their suspiciously inexpensive microwavable burritos, wide array of «cheese», and ever-​rotating collection of hot dogs of dubious provenance make it a perfect end to a night at 4P or Nanny’s. And yeah, the mural on the outside had me wondering why the same guy was always waiting for the bus for the first month that I lived in the neighborhood.

One night at 2 am my friends and I were craving cheese whiz. Not the kind that comes in a can, but the creamy, soupy kind, found on real philly cheese steaks, in cheese dip, and on Irish Nachos (apparently). The kind of cheese whiz that evokes memories of childhood grilled cheeses filled with melted velveeta; grilled cheeses made in the age of innocence, before gouda, brie, and even swiss have opened ones’ eyes to the plethora of enticing and exotic (dare I say erotic) cheeses of the world.
The kitchen at 4Ps was closed. We knew of no kitchen left open serving cheese fries. Alas, a wise friend suggested 7-​eleven. In this Mecca of processed foods, we found a nacho machine, dispensing both cheese whiz and chili, next to a veritable bar of toppings, such as salsa, jalapeños and onions.
As we debated the best approach to decorating our chips, a Good Samaritan informed us of the quality of cheese and chili; both equal, he stated. We watched him fill his bowl with chili and cheese, but opted to forego the chili and stick to the cheese. A wise choice, I think.
7-​eleven was there for me in my hour of cheese whiz. I can ask, and expect, nothing more from a florescent lit, 24-​hour convenience store.
Thank you, 7-​eleven. Thank you.

I have passed by this 7 – 11 numerous times. I have often pondered, does anyone even go in there?
After a birthday at the 4Ps my friends and I were on a quest. A quest for processed cheese. We stumbled down Conn Ave and there 7 – 11 stood. Its fluorescent lights glowing like a halo. It was like when Carlton finally got Will’s chick-​tionary on Fresh Prince. The heavens were smiling down on us.
As I greedily pumped delicious, hot gooey nacho cheese on my $ 3.00 tray of chips a stranger behind me announced «Don’t be ashamed»
Ashamed? Nay, Proud. Thank Heaven for 7 – 11. Thank Heaven.

This is the oasis of convenience between the CVS at Macomb and the CVS at Veazey. Plus, those CVSes are on the east side of the street and if you’re walking on the west side of the street it’s just a real pain to cross Connecticut.
Clean store, many selections of bottled water.
Sketchballs outside waiting for the bus, sometimes.
Mural looks like real people, don’t be freaked out.