The new 7-Eleven store, located at 918 E. Grand River Ave., had its grand opening Thursday. The staff gave away free food items including "slurpees," coffees, pizza, hot dogs and freshly baked cookies.
The opening was delayed, as it was originally supposed to take place Jan. 31. An additional building safety inspection was scheduled for Feb. 4 to reinspect outstanding items that the owner needed to address to ensure the building was safe for occupancy. The final certificate of occupancy was issued the same day.
“Today’s a very special day,” the owner, Ali Haider said. “We had a great response from the community, especially the students. They are very happy because it’s right in the center of the university and it’s 24/7. They can come anytime. We serve food 24/7.”
Haider said he believes the store located below The Hub on Campus East Lansing is the most advanced location in the United States.
“This is a great representation for 7-Eleven,” Operations Manager Joan Davis said. “It’s got a lot of our new innovative equipment that we don’t have anywhere else in Michigan. It’s awesome for the community, it's awesome for our new ownership, so I think this is a great community event.”
Davis oversees the operations of the 7-Eleven stores in the East Lansing area. According to her, there have been several 7-Eleven stores at the base of student housing units and many students use it as their grocery stores. Davis said they’re trying to build the store inventory based on what students need in their housing unit.
“Come in and see us,” Davis said. “We would love to have you. We’ve got some great food items ... We have a lot of new platforms, an assortment to satisfy everybody’s needs.”
“I think it’s going to be a pretty successful store,” Monster Energy representative Meghan Higbie said. “It’s definitely a good spot, especially with the people that are living upstairs that they're just able to come through these doors down here.”
Higbie was giving away a Monster Energy snowboard in a raffle contest at the event.
Journalism freshman Cole Szymanski said, when he walked in the 7-Eleven store on Thursday, he liked the environment.
“It’s great to see a bunch of people out here,” Szymanski said. “Everyone is having a good time. There’s a lot of free stuff going around … I got a free hot dog so that was nice.”
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