7-Eleven to Expand into P Street Pictures Space
The convenience chain store at 2617 P Street will expand into the neighboring space at 2621 P Street.
Neighborhood institution, P Street Frames, learned in July that it would have to vacate its shop of 28 years, and now we learn why: 7-Eleven will expand from its current space next door into P Street Frames shop.
"We are expanding our existing 900-square-foot store to a regular size 7-Eleven in order to give customers more room to maneuver and provide a wider assortment of products and services," wrote 7-Eleven spokesperson, Margaret Chabris, in an email to Patch.
P Street Frames owner, Jud Schlosser, received a notice from her landlord of 25 years saying that someone else was interested in her space and that he would not be offering her a new lease.
In an interview with The Georgetown Dish, Schlosser said that she had paid her rent on time for years and the sudden loss of her lease was a shock. "I didn't do anything wrong."
She has been ordered to vacate by Oct. 31.
Then, 7-Eleven will absorb the P Street Frames space, allowing the convenience store to grow to an estimated 2,500-3,000 square feet.
"We will now be able to offer health and beauty items, expand our fresh-food selection, enlarge our coffee bar and add more hot beverage products," explained Chabris.
On her website, Schlosser writes about her role in the community.
"P Street Pictures treasures the opportunity to help chronicle your lives. You bring us diplomas to frame, certificates of accomplishment - we then soon see wedding photos, birth announcements, and children's first art. We share these happy events in your lives."
Schlosser is offering a sale on art items to help make the move easier. Since losing her lease in July, she has found a new home at 3204 O Street, where she'll open in December, according to her website.
Dave
11:09 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011
While I like the idea of expansion here - the 7-11 has not necessarily been a good neighbor in the past. Between the trash outside from the idling cab drivers, to the unsightly garbage bins, to the storage crates constantly left outside on the already narrow sidewalk -- I hope these guys can clean up their act and have something more appropriate for the neighborhood. A total renovation would be needed, and let's hope it has a clean, historic look to it. Please be a good neighbor and use this as a fresh start.
Shaun Courtney
2:40 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dave- thanks for your comments. I'd suggest you bring your concerns to the attention of your ANC Commissioner as he will be able to hold 7-Eleven accountable during any zoning and/or design review for the expansions.
Charlie Eason
5:27 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dave and Shaun. Several neighbors brought this project to my attention just the other day. You can be sure I'll be following this closely as it moves forward. We plan to ask the property owner and 7-11 to meet with us to explore neighbor concerns before it gets into the formal review process. We trust they will be cooperative.
Shaun Courtney
5:31 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Great to hear, thanks for letting us know!
Barca fan
11:18 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011
Strange. Why does 7-11 need to expand? So that they can get more shelf space for high-priced junk food? Not that I begrudge them the opportunity to sell junk food (at high prices), but why do they need (more or less) three times the space to stock it? I honestly can't think of what an expanded 7-11 would add to the neighborhood. More slurpee machines? More chips? More emergency household stuff? More space for the cabbies and cops to hang out? Is there something that the current 7-11 cannot provide that the expanded one will be able to do so? This is just a very strange development.
Maggie
10:39 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Theyve been a great neighbor to me! I have limited frig space and have relied on 7 11 to store large items in their walk in frig for parties/ holidays. While I value P st Pictures, I consider our locally franchised owned 7 11 a valued neighborhood business. Id only ask you to consider if your beef is with 7 11 or the landlord.