Pitt stop: The Carmel Highlands General Store in Carmel, California, is for sale, according to real estate firm Mahoney & Associates. It went on the market in late July for $6 million. The property includes a pair of Spanish-style buildings, a pair of gas pumps and more than a dozen parking spaces. It’s on Highway 1, where an estimated 40,000 vehicles drive by every day, making it one of the most recognizable gas stations in California, according to SFGate. It’s a gateway to the Monterey Peninsula to the north and Big Sur to the south. Brad Pitt bought a house across the street in 2022. The property, which includes a convenience store that carries local wines, cheese and coffee, along with a gallery space and manicured garden, was built in 1937 as an extension of the neighboring Carmel Highlands Inn Hotel. The spot transforms into “Casa Ferrari,” the default Ferrari headquarters during Monterey Car Week. —Greg Lindenberg
Dad jokes needed!: Laffy Taffy made by the Ferrara Candy Co., Chicago, known for its classic dad jokes, is launching its first-ever Laff Line with Damon Wayans Jr. The actor, comedian and producer will be taking calls on National Tell a Joke Day on Saturday to find the next generation of jokes for the brand's new and improved wrappers. “Just like Laffy Taffy, I'm all about sharing a laugh with my family—the punnier, the better,” Wayans said. Have a knee slapper? Call 1-844-LOL-HOUR (1-844-565-4687) between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. eastern time on Aug. 16, to make Wayans laugh. —Diane Adam
From convenience to classical: A former 7-Eleven—and before that, White Hen Pantry—on the North Side of Chicago is now a classical music venue called the CheckOut, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Seth Boustead, head of Access Contemporary Music (ACM), saw the empty storefront in 2023 and thought, “This would be an amazing chamber music venue,” he told the newspaper. The venue is scheduled to open in mid-September, while previews have already begun. “It’s pretty unrecognizable,” Boustead said. “The door dings when you walk in, like a 7-Eleven—we left that. Behind the bar, there’s still, where the grease trap used to be, a door that goes down into the floor where they used to dump grease. I found a training poster for their employees, and we’re planning to frame it and put it in the bathroom.” ACM offers music lessons at three storefront music schools, has a composer collective and presents concerts. It also holds the annual classical music street fest Thirsty Ears. —Chuck Ulie
It pays to wear green and gold: Green Bay Packers fans who show their team spirit can receive discounts at the pump this football season. As part of Green and Gold Friday, fans wearing Packers apparel on Fridays during the season can visit participating Wisconsin CITGO locations to receive a 6-cent discount per gallon of gas, according to the Packers website. To redeem the discount, consumers download the Club CITGO app, register and enter a Club CITGO Alt ID. Qdoba and Fleet Farm stores are also offering promotions during the season, which started Aug. 9 with a preseason game. —Hannah Hammond
From Dubai to the c-store: The Dubai chocolate trend has hit convenience-store aisles. Loop Neighborhood Market is now selling the Beemax brand of the viral, sought-after treat—proof that even c-stores are leaning into the global obsession. What began as a handcrafted dessert from a boutique chocolatier in Dubai has become a worldwide sensation, thanks to TikTok videos showing off its glossy chocolate shell, gooey pistachio filling and crunchy knafeh center. Now it's found everywhere from Costco to Trader Joe’s—and increasingly in corner stores like Loop. —Rachel Gignac
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