"We see a significant growth potential there, based on population density," Margaret Chabris, spokesperson for Dallas-based 7-Eleven, told the newspaper. "It is somewhat underserved by convenience retail."
Chabris declined to [image-nocss] release exact numbers for the company's Aurora plans. And, because no new stores are currently under construction, she declined to discuss any particular sites for future stores. But, Chabris said of the Aurora market, "we'd like to grow double digits in the next several years."
The market is ideal because there is ample high-density and apartment housing to put the stores close to, she added. By building stores that do not have gasoline dispensers, the company can build in residential neighborhoods, closer to those apartment complexes and multi-family homes that bring a steady stream of customers, said the report.
"We see a lot of areas where we could still develop some more 7-Eleven stores," she said.
Having a high-traffic convenience store has been a boon, Gayle Jetchick, executive director of the Havana (Street) Business Improvement District, told the paper. "All the neighboring businesses were really excited to hear they were moving in and they are glad they are there now. It's creating more traffic for the other business."
Jetchick said that the new 7-Eleven has meant new signage for the shopping center, as well as new landscaping on the west side of the center. She said a change made to the city's landscaping rules a few years ago, which said businesses needed only a three-foot-wide stretch of landscaping along a roadway instead of the 15-foot or 20-foot stretch, made the property more attractive for 7-Eleven to move in.
And bringing the new store into a buildingan old butcher shop--where many would not have imagined a convenience store, is likely a sign of what is to come for the city as businesses renovate old properties rather than build brand new ones, she told the paper.
"New businesses in older buildings, I think that's going to be a key," she said.
As for 7-Eleven's plans for Aurora, Chabris said the company envisions many of the new stores as franchises, owned and operated by local businessmen and businesswomen. "That provides new business opportunities for local residents," she said.
She said each new store will likely employ about 10 people, some part time and others full time.
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