Am I the only one noticing that 7-11s are appearing across the metro area at a rabbit-production pace?
In recent months (weeks?), Lower Downtown has become home to two new 7-11s – located no more than a chili-dog’s-throw from one-another. On my short drive to work from the Highlands, I pass 4 times as many 7-11s as I do Starbucks. They’re growing so fast, it seems, that even Google Maps can’t keep up with their proliferation.
I don’t know whether to be pleased to know that 7-11 sees so much new value in the Denver market – or to be disturbed that 7-11 sees so much new value in the Denver market. At any rate – anyone want a Slurpee?
I’ve noticed. Feels a little like 7-11 is trying to do to Denver what Dunkin’ Doughnuts did to Boston.
I guess a 7-11 is better than nothing, but I’d rather see retail that wasn’t pushing crap food pumped full of HFCS and partially hydrogenated oil. There is really an underserved population in downtown whose only options for food are prepackaged convenience store food or restaurants. Living downtown and trying to eat healthy at home without a car was one of the hardest things I’ve done.
I have been noticing the trend all summer. I think it’s great as a lot of these retail locations had been vacant for a while now.
Yes it’s a chain and yes they serve primarily junk food but if you look closely enough theirs a few fresh fruits, veggies, and prepared sandwiches that aren’t all that horrible for you. It’s no grocery store or traditional market but it is convenient enough to hold you over until you can make a trip to one.
After making several trips to Asia I got used to seeing convenience stores (usually 7-11’s) scattered all over vibrant dense urban areas so I see it more of an endorsement by 7-11 of downtown Denver’s viability rather than a plague.
As a LoDo resident, I see it as a mixed blessing. Since I live on the west/Pepsi Center side of LoDo, there is very little within 3-4 blocks that I can access to get simple things like a quart of milk in a pinch. I’m forced to either trek halfway across downtown, or to get in my car to drive to the closest grocery store – the King Soopers at 13th and Speer.
7-11 is the model of convenience, and the junk food that they peddle aside, they actually sell alot of things that are often useful in a last-second sort of situation (i.e. the quart of milk). It seems to me that if they are trying to expand their market presence in downtown, then they are leaving a big hole where the western half of LoDo is concerned. In fact, there is a perfect space at the corner of Wynkoop and the 16th St Mall, and it has sat open since the building was constructed. With all of the traffic that is anticipated to flow through Union Station once it’s complete, and the number of people that pass up and down the mall, it does not make sense to me why such a prime location would sit vacant. It would at least help to bring activity to an intersection that only really as the Tattered Cover as a draw right now.
That brings me to my other point: WHY ARE THERE NO GROCERY STORES DOWNTOWN?? If Denver is truly trying to develop a more urban, walkable city, then we need to have simple necessities like grocery stores within a reasonable walking distance of residents’ homes. With Lower Downtown, Riverfront Park and the Central Business District as some of the densest concentrations of residences in the city, most of us are still stuck driving to the grocery store.
I recently visited my home town of Kansas City, which over the past decade has completely revitalized their Central Business District. When I was growing up, I remember that downtown became a desolate ghost town after 6pm. Now it possesses a live and vibrancy to rival Denver’s. One of the anchor tenants in the center of the new Power & Light District (similar to the 16th St Mall in function) is none other than a full-service GROCERY STORE! Not only that, but the store has been laid out to maximize the ability of patrons – both residents and people that just work nearby – to grab items quickly and get on with their plans. They also have a huge deli, bakery, and prepared foods section that allows them to also serve a role as a casual eatery. (Think Cook’s Fresh on the 16th St mall, but about six times bigger.)
I guess that the point I want to make is this: If Denver is supposed to be so progressive and ahead of other small-to-midsize cities in its urbanism, why is it that we seem to be missing some of the small details that truly make an urban lifestyle not only enjoyable, but easy. We could take a lesson or two from places like Kansas City.
The Power and Light District in KC struck me as a bit contrived and loud, and I am not sure I would describe it as ‘completely revitalized.’ KC’s downtown has a long way to go compared to Denver in substantive and sustained revitalization; however, I fully agree: downtown Denver needs a grocery story.
I know there are plans for a King Sooper’s in the Union Station area, but that is a way out.
Perhaps a Trader Joe’s or the homegrown Sunflower Market in the old Virgin Record store? (albeit that is in the more sparsely populated upper downtown)
I’m all for a Sunflower market (or even a Whole Foods) in the Virgin Record store but not sure what kind of deal they would get from Gart Properties on that as it seems like they have been willing to wait on that property in order to get top dollar. Last I heard Sunflower was looking at a site that’s currently a church around Colfax south of city park and if that happens I doubt they would consider downtown.
I read somewhere that for Trader Joe’s to come to Denver they would need to establish a distribution and supply network for this region and our region just is not populated enough for the cost to be worth it.
Interesting, i.e. Trader Joe’s… sounds similar to the reasoning for our, soon to be no longer, lack of Ikea.
(Although I always blamed Jake Jabs for Denver being Ikea-less =))
Trader Joe’s just opened in Omaha. Trader Joe’s is in Santa Fe. Trader Joe’s in in Chapel Hill. All of those places have smaller populations than Denver. I think what’s keeping Trader Joe’s from opening in Denver (yet) is the fairly crowded market we have in the natural grocery segment. Denver has more natural/organic stores per capita than almost anyplace other than Boston or the Bay Area. They’ll get here. Probably Boulder first, then Denver a few years after that.
And that they’re not here, contrary to popular belief, has nothing to do with Colorado liquor law. Massachusetts has a similar law (only one unit of a chain may own a liquor license), and Trader Joe’s is all over the Bay State.
Yes those places have smaller populations than Denver but their distribution and supply center may be in another city. I believe Omaha’s is in Chicago, Santa Fe’s is in Phoneix and Chapel Hill’s is in Atlanta.
I read that with their network they would need a distribution center in Denver to make it work and our distance from other metro areas does not make it worth it for them right now.
I am sure the crowded market is a factor as well though.
How about the Vitamin Cottage along 15th…seems convenient to your part of town.
probably anything is better than a vacant lot, but I do miss the bodegas which were on almost every corner of my neighborhood in new york and served the same purpose but added so much character to the area. it is a shame that it is so difficult for an independent business owner to open up a shop like this and instead we have to rely on a faceless corporation with mediocre, unhealthy fare to meet our needs.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. I love the little NYC bodegas, especially the ones with a little line kitchen – I think I miss those quick sausage egg and cheese sandwiches as much as I miss anything in NYC.
One of the things I like about Baker is that there are a couple of those little independent bodegas scattered around the residential blocks.
unfortunately, the first avenue market which is right around the corner from me is pretty crappy. la tiendita is better but a bit further away. i remember reading somewhere that these corner stores have been zoned out of the neighborhood so if they ever go out of business, they would have to be replaced with something residential.
vacant lot/building -> nil tax revenue
7-Eleven -> greater than nil tax revenue
You choose.
tongue-in-cheek
big words
->
you choose
If 7-11 can push more healthier food selections that I’ve seen in 7-11s in Japan… than I’m all for it. Seriously, convenience stores in Japan know how to get it done! They are everywhere and it is awesome.
I noticed a lot of 7-11s last time I was in San Diego too and I wondered then why that was. Interesting phenomenon, but better than vacancy.
I am all for a Trader Joe’s or Sunflower Downtown!! It seems Downtown needs a grocery store that people like to spend their time in- an experience- rather than errand running.
I agree, Trader Joe’s is a must. Hopefully someone will put a nice market in the new Union Station Development in addition to a potential weekend farmer’s market. Huge residential core, close for transit goers, it’s an area that requires it.
The Pacific Mercantile is a grocery store downtown…and yet nobody talks about it. If someone’s thinking that we’ll get a 6th & Corona style Safeway, they should probably hit the Starbucks and smell the coffee. Grociers like Pacific Mercantile and Cooks Fresh Market are both economical and practical in a downtown setting, and provide grocery services to both Lodo and upper downtown.
I also find it interesting that the King Soopers at Speer and 13th is treated like the ugly stepchild, forgotten and not appreciated by downtown (and yet the highest producing grocery store in the city!). The distance from the 16th Street mall to the King Soopers is about the same as from the Paramount Theater is to Market Street Station – a healthy walk for sure, but nowhere near as desirable as the mall. I wonder what would be greater – the cost of subsidizing a full scale grocery store downtown versus the cost of upgrading the sidewalks to and crossings at Colfax and Speer to get from the Mall to the King Soopers at 13th & Speer? Or even better, the cost of having a future downtown circulator actually go by this grocery store location?
Progressivism in this town needs to think outside the bun…err, the core of downtown. Connections to neighborhoods is nothing new, just ask the folks in lower highland.
Almost forgot the Vitamin Cottage along 15th across from My Brother’s Bar.
Ken, perhaps you could create a map showing Vitamin Cottage, Pacific Mercantile, Cooks Market and King Soopers, with a 1/2 mile radius around each? This might highlight the under served areas of downtown without convenient access to a supermarket.
I live in Cap Hill and I think it’s funny that a few blocks up from me (11th and Logan) there’s a King Soopers on 9th and Corona, a Safeway on 6th and Corona and just about equidistant the King Soopers on 13th and Speer. On top of that there’s Cook’s Fresh Market on 10th and Lincoln. Personally, I think there should be one smack in the center of downtown. It seems as if there’s at least one store serving each outer neighborhood. Why shouldn’t there be one serving CBD? Not a little market but a full grocery store ie Safeway, King Soopers.
I used to love 7-11 but now that I’ve given up pop, the amazing Big Gulp and I have parted ways. I still consider 7-11 the most obvious sign of civilization.
From an urbanism standpoint, this is great. It means people can get convenient and cheap snacks Downtown as well as some little odd grocery items.
From a nutrition standpoint… not so much, ha.
But if 7-11 ever ads healthier options to its menu this is win-win, and it also shows demand in the market for quick and convenient food, so maybe a small grocery store or big-box retail with a grocery section will decide to come in.
I was just in the Pacific Mercantile today and it’s a cool little store. They have fresh produce and all kinds of foods. If I lived in Solera, I’d probably walk across the street and shop here.
We need more people downtown, people!! And developers like David Zucker are doing the best they can during this trying economic time.
I think 7-11 is a good thing
The Pacific Mercantile is a great little store. Their selection is big enough that I could see doing most of my shopping there if I lived closer, but its still a pretty good hike for me.
I live on the same block as the Vitamin Cottage on 15th. Its a good store, but expensive and the produce selection is hit-or-miss. Its definitely not a substitute for a full-size grocer. I use it more as a supplement to the Safeway near Federal & Speer, which I of course have to drive to.
I’ve actually thought the empty lot on Platte across from Empire Staple & the Rowing Club buildings would be an interesting place for a grocery store. No need to wait for the construction at Union Station to finish, and it would be convenient for most of the CPV and LoHi. Its not like anyone will want to build condos there right up against the highway.
My last post was all over the place, but you get the point. I hope.