7-Eleven Development Pits Big Business Against Small Business
At last night’s meeting the Council approved by unanimous vote a proposed development for a 7-Eleven convenience store at the corner of Torrance and Madrona. The site is currently occupied by a Valero gas station. The matter was brought before the Council on appeal after the Planning Commission had denied the project by a unanimous 7 to 0 vote. The Planning Commission had cited 7-Eleven’s insistence on selling beer and wine as a key reason for denying the project as doing so would put them in violation of a City ordinance prohibiting the sale of beer and wine within 300 feet of an established liquor store. In anticipation of the hearing before the Council, 7-Eleven agreed not to offer beer and wine sales at that particular location.
Several residents spoke at the meeting against the project citing various concerns including increased traffic, crime, and homelessness. Some also expressed safety concerns such as kids at the Plunge wanting to cross the busy Torrance and Madrona intersection to purchase slurpees. Most of the speakers, however, decried the take-over by big business of small locally owned enterprises as they worried that the opening of the 7-Eleven could force 3 to 5 neighboring stores, including the adjacent liquor store, to close.
The mother and two daughters of the family that owns the liquor store all spoke. One daughter, who attended South High and is now raising her own children in Torrance, spoke of her family’s roots in Torrance and claimed that they had collected over 1,000 signatures opposing the 7-Eleven. In an emotional plea verging on tears, another daughter said she “felt like small business was being bullied by big corporations.” The mother spoke about how they were relying on the continued operations of the store to fund their retirement and how if the 7-Eleven opened that it would mean that her “American Dream is gone.”
Mayor Furey was unsympathetic. Speaking with regard to the reference made to the American Dream he stated, “If that’s the American Dream, it frightens me. That is such a tired looking property.” Those comments seemed to create a stir in the room, but after decorum returned, in part due to the presence of an armed officer, Mayor Furey gathered himself to further offer that it was not a negative to have something clean and new there and that residents should wait and see before entering a panic situation.
During the discussion, representatives from 7-Eleven noted efforts done to address community concerns such as having employees pick-up trash and adhering to loading and unloading times. They also cited 7-Eleven’s commitment to the community through charitable donations to local schools and programs.
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce joined the 7-Eleven representatives in voicing support for the development. Donna Duperron, CEO and President of the Chamber, spoke claiming that 7-Eleven “offers a safe, clean, and friendly place to shop around the clock,” and that 40 to 50% of 7-Eleven’s employees are hired locally.
A representative from the development company that is proposing to build the 7-Eleven also spoke in support of the project commenting, “I hear about this competitiveness, that’s what America is all about.”
I feel that we put a lot of emphasis on liquor sales and not much on anything else. Having a 711 on that corner is no different than allowing an accountant to open up in the same office building where there is already another accountant. In regards to the owners of the liquor store I wouldn’t worry to much as I’m sure they carry hard liquor and products you wouldn’t find at 711. I would have to agree that the corner is looking pretty bad. I opened my real estate business directly next door to another real estate company. We are both still in business. Competition is good and I personally don’t agree with the ordinance as it targets liquor sales. What if the tables were turned?
Aurelio is right. A rundown liquor store is not competition for a 7-11… Especially since they specifically decided not to carry alcohol. The Mayor hit the nail on the head. If selling booze out of a rundown liquor store that is near schools is not the American Dream. And 7-11’s are franchises, not big business. They are owned by individuals who happen to be franchised. Once again Clint’s blatant bias against all things Furey have tainted his “unbiased” blog. Must be nice to hide behind a keyboard pretending to be a lawyer instead of a failed law school graduate.
So says the person that litters my blog with hatefilled, fallacious statements and doesn’t dare put his name behind them.
Not hate. Pity. And not fallacious but rather exposing your lies and misinformation and the fact that you are not involved in improving our city in any at all. You are a sad blogger with nothing to but send out bias misinformation and passing it off as the truth. Just about every article you post is distorted or just flat wrong.
Furey’s comments were a little off color, but honestly, the idea that another store on that corner will hurt business is simply not true. As for the safety of kids crossing the street, isn’t that something they should know already? Honestly, if every possible hurt and danger decided whether we built something or not, then we wouldn’t have economic growth in the first place!
I’ve heard much worse. And yes, defending a rundown liquor store in the name of promoting business in our city is silly. Its amazing how offensive the tiniest comment is when it doesn’t jive with Clint Paulson’s agenda. In fact I think if the Mayor had been on the side of the liquor store, Clint would have written an article about how Furey supports run down liquor stores instead of reputable businesses. Clit and his follower(s?) would hate breathing if Mayor Furey said it was a good idea.
Why won’t you reveal your identity, anonymous? Feel free to disagree, but the rest of us aren’t hiding.
I support business, period. If you can’t compete, then rethink what you’re doing and find a better, smarter way. Capitalism 101.