7-Eleven Buys Open Pantry, Starts Renovations at BP
The convenience store giant is purchasing every Open Pantry in the nation, including the one inside the BP gas station on the corner of Main Street and Hwy 164.
Say ‘Goodbye’ to the Open Pantry and ‘Hello’ to the Big Gulp.
7-Eleven Inc. is purchasing almost all of the 26 Open Pantry Food Marts in Wisconsin and Illinois, and that includes the one located in the BP gas station in Sussex on the corner of Main Street and Hwy 164.
Hilary Becker, a representative from 7-Eleven, notified the Sussex Plan Commission Thursday evening of the store’s plans to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week after its rebranding. The store currently runs from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., but Becker said Open Pantry employees were recently brought to a Sheridan hotel to be trained on new procedures.
With more than 46,000 stores around the world, mostly in Japan, 7-Eleven is by far the largest convenience store chain on the planet. However, this many be a new business venture for the franchise. There are roughly 6,800 7-Eleven stores in the United States, but none in Wisconsin, reports JS Online.
In 1996, the company opened about 15 stores in the dairy state but left just 10 years ago.
Members on the Plan Commission talked with Becker about the acquisition, mentioning they would like to see problems with traffic flow fixed, along with the sagging asphalt that causes enormous puddles after a storm. In addition, board members asked whether Pig Points from Piggly Wiggly will still be valid, but the representative wasn’t sure yet.
Becker will need to return with potential solutions to the problems during the July 19 public hearing, where citizen comments will also be heard.
Chris
1:16 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
I would like having a 7-11 in town, but I'm also interested in hearing about the BP/Pig Points issues as we frequently use them. Is there a reason they couldn't simply switch to the other BP station in town?
Andy Ambrosius
3:35 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Probably, and the 7-Eleven woman was interested in continuing them. She said she dealt with the same Piggly Wiggly points issue when switching over the one Open Pantry in Illinois.
Dr. Smith
3:11 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Pig Points aren't a BP exclusive thing. Piggly Wiggly partners with a nearby gas station in areas where they don't have their own gas station on site. It's up to "The Pig" to keep the relationship going or find a new partner. I've seen Pig Points accepted at Mobile gas stations.
Mike B
9:20 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
I drove by there last night and they were charging $3.65 for gas. Holy Crap. The other end of Main Street and it's only $3.45. Over by Mayfair, where I work, I filled up earlier in the day for $3.32. That gas station is always ridiculously priced.
They even have that deal with Piggly Wiggly where you can use Pig Points for a discount on gas. I did that once, got my discount, drove home and passed other gas stations who's regular price was less than the "discounted" price I paid. I never go to that gas station at all.