7-Eleven stores left Wilmington 35 years ago. Why are they coming back?

Emma Dill, Wilmington StarNews
·3 min read

The gas station and convenience store chain 7-Eleven is planning a return to Wilmington more than 35 years after the brand left the Port City in the mid-1980s.

Plans for a 7-Eleven-branded convenience store, gas station, and car wash were submitted this week to the city of Wilmington for review. If built, the gas station will become the only 7-Eleven in New Hanover County, but it won't be the first.

From the mid-1960s through 1985, the number of 7-Eleven stores in the city of Wilmington fluctuated between two stores to 13, according to city directories from the time.

Developers are eyeing a vacant lot at the intersection of Market Street and Birchwood Drive for a new 7-Eleven convenience store, gas station and car wash in Wilmington.
Developers are eyeing a vacant lot at the intersection of Market Street and Birchwood Drive for a new 7-Eleven convenience store, gas station and car wash in Wilmington.

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At its height, there were 14 7-Elevens in New Hanover County with several locations open for several years, including two on Wrightsville Avenue, another two on College Road, one at 2010 Princess Place Drive, and another at 1620 Medical Center Drive.

In 1985, Southland Corporation, the ten-owner of the 7-Eleven chain, began selling off its Wilmington locations.

In February 1985, the StarNews reported six 7-Eleven convenience stores were bought by Zip Mart, a now-defunct gas station chain. At the time, an operations manager with Southland Corporation told the StarNews that operating the 7-Elevens was "no longer profitable" in the Wilmington area.

A rendering of a 7-Eleven convenience store planned near the intersection of Market Street and Birchwood Drive. The location would become the only 7-Eleven in New Hanover County.
A rendering of a 7-Eleven convenience store planned near the intersection of Market Street and Birchwood Drive. The location would become the only 7-Eleven in New Hanover County.

That, clearly, has changed with plans for the new location proposed for a 2.7-acre vacant site at the intersection of Market Street and Birchwood Drive. That block of Market Street is home to Walgreens and Bojangles. Another 7-Eleven is also in the works in Leland at 1131 New Pointe Blvd. off of U.S. 17.

Right now, the closest 7-Eleven location is roughly 75 miles south of Wilmington near Conway S.C. There are more than a dozen locations throughout North Carolina.

The Market Street location is set to include a 4,790 square-foot convenience store with a patio for outdoor seating and a 1,057 square-foot car wash. Site plans also show at least eight fuel pumps and four spaces for electrical vehicle charging.

The gas station and convenience store will have access from both Market Street and Birchwood Drive. The project is expected to generate around 4,320 vehicle trips each day, which includes 341 vehicles during peak morning hours and 384 vehicles during peak afternoon hours, according to site plans.

The company, which is famous for its Slurpees and Big Gulp drinks, can trace its history back to 1927. It's continued to grow with the recent acquisitions of convenience stores Speedway and Sunoco along with several other food and convenience store brands.

Last year, the convenience store launched a $70 million ad campaign that tapped Wilmington talent. The company used a song from Marlowe, a musical duo with ties to the Wilmington area, in a commercial.

Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington could get 7-Eleven gas station, car wash on Market Street