Sunday, December 28, 2008

7-Eleven On Wilson Has Booze



We just got back from 7-Eleven on Wilson and there has been an interesting development: they have booze, and lots of it. We spotted six packs of Ice-House beer, large single cans of beer and several varieties of "40's" including Olde English. We seem to remember Magnolia Malden Neighbors block club coming to some sort of agreement with 7-Eleven to limit or not allow these types of booze. What gives?

23 comments:

  1. Oooh Yeah! A forty and a bag of flamin' hot Cheetos - looks like it's gonna be a good news years eve after all.

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  2. When is Fontana Grill getting their liquor license? What is the hold up? How can 7-Eleven get their license so fast and Fontana waits...

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  3. I drink my 40 out of a bag because I'm a lady! ;)

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  4. This really isn't a joking matter. We have been told lies and are in for trouble from the local bums (I know! Honest but not pc).

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  5. I hate to say it, but the Magnolia Malden Block Club has nobody to blame but themselves for trusting Ald. Shiller's word. She's proven over and over again that she'll lie at every turn for "the cause." What made them think she would change her stripes on this issue?

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  6. Free brown bags with each 40 purchased now through new years eve! Great job Helen!

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  7. Sometimes I am able to explain Helen's rationale on things, even when I don't agree. However, I am stumped with this one. What gives?

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  8. Could someone who is active in that block club please speak up as to what was the communication with the Alderman was regarding this issue last fall?

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  9. This is very depressing.

    Wasn't there supposed to be a hearing on this?

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  10. Are these the ONLY alcoholic beverages being sold there? Or is there a selection of wines and hard liquors as well?

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  11. We attended the community meeting hosted by Magnolia Malden Block Club. The 7-11 employee who presented to the residents emphatically stated "We won't be selling any of the 40 oz, or malt liquor. We want to be good neighbors."

    7-11 assured everyone they understood why we had such a deep concern about selling liquor at this location and would not offer products that were the beverage of choice for the many public drinkers who hung out nearby. They lied.

    About half the residents wanted the 7-11 to open without a liquor license. 7-11 said they wouldn't open a store without one since it's such a big chunk of revenue for them.

    For those of us who live near this very blighted stretch of Wilson, this location has been a prime spot for public drinking, murders, and very heavy loitering with people passed out on the sidewalk. Not exactly a safe and welcoming place for moms to walk with their kids, especially those who live at the Sylvia Center and Cornerstone Shelter right around the corner.

    How do you hold 7-11 accountable? Remember what Father Pflager did to stop malt liquor sales in his neighborhood. Protest rallies, lots of kids holding signs and a megaphone.

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  12. It seems that residents have done something in the past. They voted that stretch dry years ago. Not an easy thing to do.
    Why roll over so quickly? I'll never understand why such a hard won battle as cleaning up that part of Wilson was given up for a 7-11, of all things.
    Magnolia Malden Neighbors are some of the most tenured and activist residents of this neighborhood. Wilson is a much different, safer and cleaner place today, in large part due to this block club. I guess I'm just surprised that they bought the "A 7-Eleven representative said..." line.

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  13. OK, Corporate 7-11 was contacted this morning. These conditions are part of the lease for that building. WIthin an hour of my contacting 7-11 and the Landlord, the manager was requested to remove the inappropriate liquor. I have every confidence that this will be done. Thanks to all who contacted me. (Kathy Cook, President, Magnolia-Malden Block Club)

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  14. Well, hopefully the "out of lease" booze will disappear quickly.

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  15. Thank you, Kathy Cook, for the quick action on your part. Let's hope 7-Eleven remembers its lease restrictions in the future. Together, we can all make a difference!

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  16. "Magnolia Malden Neighbors are some of the most tenured and activist residents of this neighborhood."

    "These conditions are part of the lease for that building."

    wow, this is impressive!

    they even took care to publicly record the lease:

    1136 W Wilson
    PIN 14-17-207-017
    Cook County Recorder of Deeds doc # 0831745013

    kudos to Magnolia-Malden Block Club

    why 7-Eleven would sign a lease with these restictions and then try to blow passed them is discouraging

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  17. The landord here is Michael R. Haney of Newcastle Limited. In recent years up until the bottom fell out anyway Newcastle has been VERY agressively buying up mixed-use bldgs in Chicago. They recently swept thru Andersonville buying up everything they could get a hold of.

    Of course Haney is a major Shiller sponsor.

    $1,000.00 5/20/2008
    $200.00 11/15/2007
    $300.00 2/2/2007
    $250.00 11/30/2006

    Of course the grand in May, 2008 is completely unrelated to Shiller rolling back the dry ordinance in July, 2008.

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  18. I don't think it was intentional. 7-11 is a HUGE corporation. I'm sure they have a standard initial inventory package that they send out to set up a store. Fortunately we have vigilant neighbors, who caught the error, and now it will be corrected.

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  19. I'd give 7-11 the benefit of the doubt. See if the out of lease booze disappears.

    If not.........let slip the dogs of war.

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  20. Well all I can say is thank you for the follow up. I think it is a terrific message to send to 7-11 that the neighbors are paying attention and that “Being a good neighbor,” is something we take seriously, regardless of whom your landlord gives donations to. Thanks to Kathy and everyone else that is paying attention to what is going on in the neighborhood!

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  21. Where can I get my forties now? This is Bull!

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  22. I was in 711 yesterday (1/19/08) and they had 40's of MGD, Miller Lite and Budweiser.

    Just FYI.

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  23. I was in there as well... stopped in just to see if they had really removed the 40's...... and they had not. My roommate picked one up and started walking to the counter with it........

    I promptly punched him.

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