Downtown's second 7-Eleven store, at 9 W. Union St., was the site of a celebration Wednesday to recognize the opening of 11 7-Elevens in Jacksonville since March.
Downtown's first 7-Eleven opened in August along Julia Street near EverBank Center.
The company was out of the market for 20 years and plans to open 80 units in North Florida by 2016.
"Instead of a single grand opening, this is an even grander opening," said Ben Tison, zone leader for 406 7-Eleven stores in the northern half of Florida.
"We are celebrating the 11 7-Eleven stores we have opened since late March and the many more to come. This project has been on a fast track. We are opening a store approximately every three weeks in this area," he said.
According to data provided by 7-Eleven, each local store employs at least 10 people. Since the first unit opened in March, 7-Eleven has generated $500,000 in sales, use, property and payroll taxes. The 11 units have accounted for $2 million in lottery ticket sales to support the Florida Educational Enhancement Trust fund for public education, the company said.
"Each store means more jobs, more sales tax, more business, more franchise opportunities and, of course, more Slurpee drinks for the people of Jacksonville," said Tison.
The new store along Union Street is one block south of the north border of the Downtown Improvement District and in City Council member Johnny Gaffney's district. He said the store transformed a lot that had been vacant for more than 10 years into an economic driver.
"This eliminates blight. Now, we have a sense of pride and we need jobs. Because of the commitment 7-Eleven has made, we are a better city today. This is a win-win. Everybody benefits," Gaffney said.
As part of the celebration, 7-Eleven donated $5,711 to the Allied Veterans Center, which provides job training to veterans. The check was accepted by center Chief Operating Officer Len Loving and Jerry Bass, board chairman.
"We had our one-year anniversary yesterday, and this is the largest donation we have ever received," Bass said.
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