7-Eleven era ends in Abilene: Stores across city now branded DK

Greg Jaklewicz, Abilene Reporter-News
Updated ·3 min read
New DK signage is being seen in Abilene at former 7-Eleven stores.
New DK signage is being seen in Abilene at former 7-Eleven stores.

Abilenians no longer will be saying "Oh thank heaven for 7-Eleven."

The chain's many stores scattered across Abilene are changing to DK locations. DK has had a presence locally, providing fuel service at some Allsup's locations, such as 2550 S. Clack St.

Now, the DK also will operate convenience stores at former 7-Eleven sites.

Signage over the past few weeks has been changed out. The familiar green, red and orange 7-Eleven branding has been removed at many stores. Still, a few locations are still branded as 7-Eleven.

Otherwise, crews have been installing large, white "DK" lettering on buildings. Under that is the slogan "making your day a little easier."

Signage includes a smiley face image, the grin not unlike the one used by Amazon on packaging - minus the arrow.

Gas signs are white with red DK lettering.

Abilene continues a Texas-sized rebranding.

Stores owned by Southwest Convenience Stores, a subsidiary of Delek U.S. Holdings, are becoming DKs. It's the result of the end of a licensing agreement in 2018 between Delek and 7-Eleven Inc., which is based in Irving. 7-Eleven also has operated Stripes stores, which are found in Abilene and across the Big Country, and Speedway sites elsewhere.

What's in a name?

The moon may have been rising over the 7-Eleven sign last weekend at the corner of South 14th and Butternut streets, but it's setting on the brand name at Abilene convenience stores.
The moon may have been rising over the 7-Eleven sign last weekend at the corner of South 14th and Butternut streets, but it's setting on the brand name at Abilene convenience stores.

The 7-Eleven chain started in 1927 as an icehouse in Dallas. It became Tote'm stores the next year, and that name was used until 1946. To promote expanded store hours - now open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. - the name was changed to 7-Eleven.

Though still based in Texas, the owner is Seven & I Holdings of Japan.

OK, but what about DK?

In a story about a similar change in El Paso, a resident there guessed it might be "Donkey Kong."

It isn't.

Dancing Kangaroos?

Darling Kiddos?

Nope. And nope.

It also is not the abbreviation of former Reporter-News photographer David Kent.

It's short for Delek, which is an oil refining company based in Tennessee. In 2017, it began to acquire 7-Eleven licensed stories in El Paso and now other Texas and New Mexico cities.

According to the El Paso Times, rebranding began in 2019 in Midland, and then in late 2022 change came to El Paso.

Obviously, 7-Eleven products will no longer be sold. That includes Slurpees, meaning the end of free drinks for customers each July 11.

The skinny on Abilene chain names

The current Abilene change represents the start of another chapter in local convenience store lore.

Old-timers will remember Mr. M stores back in the day. There were Colonials for a time, then came Skinny's stores, which began with one location in 1974 but soon dominated the local market for decades with bright orange lettering.

Skinny's stores dotted Abilene at one time, eventually giving way to the 7-Eleven invasion.
Skinny's stores dotted Abilene at one time, eventually giving way to the 7-Eleven invasion.

Joe Davis and sons Bo and Joe Bob at one point had 57 stores in 100-mile radius of Abilene.

Ironically, in 1985, Skinny's expanded by buying eight Abilene Fatso's stores. Logic would have it the other way around.

Circle K once had a minor presence here - the BK Donuts store on Texas Avenue for example, became a Circle K. The chain in 1990 closed local stores as part of its reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Then came 7-Eleven in 2008.

Gary Earnest, who heads Taylor County's Central Appraisal District, said Monday that the CAD has not received ownership change.

But DK is here.

More than seven or even 11 here

When the changeover began, there were 23 7-Eleven stores in Abilene.

NORTH SIDE

  • 2718 North First St.

  • 2150 N. Treadaway Blvd.

  • 3102 Grape St.

  • 3401 Ambler Ave.

  • 1002 N. Clack St.

  • 3749 West Lake Road

SOUTH SIDE

  • 1001 E. Highway 80

  • 641 Butternut St.

  • 5110 South Seventh St.

  • 6265 South Seventh St.

  • 3131 South Danville Dr.

  • 1302 South 14th St.

  • 3288 South 14th St.

  • 4809 South 14th St.

  • 2141 South 20th St.

  • 1458 S. Treadaway St.

  • 2689 Buffalo Gap Road

  • 5191 Buffalo Gap Road

  • 8058 Buffalo Gap Road

  • 270 S. Pioneer Dr.

  • 3151 Oldham Lane

  • 3350 Catclaw Dr.

  • 4673 FM 18

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: 7-Eleven era ends in Abilene: Stores across city now branded DK