Beer ban lifted for family-friendly 7-Eleven...But store still has to play classical music

[one...two...tree 2,762]

by Astrid Galvan - Mar. 10, 2009 08:20 AM

The Arizona Republic

If there were a Walt Disney version of a corner store, the 7-Eleven on Elliott and Cooper roads in Gilbert would be it.

For 10 ½ years, the clean-cut store has operated under strict regulations imposed by Gilbert when town officials approved its conditional use permit.

Adult magazines and hard liquor are banned. Classical music is mandatory throughout the weekend. And even an outside payphone was banned in order for owner Carol Ripsam to open.

But the town Planning Commission last week voted to lift one ban that probably had the biggest financial impact on the store; it voted to allow the 7-Eleven to sell single cans and bottles of beer.

Single beers are a big seller for almost any convenience store, Ripsam said.

"I thought, we've been here 10 years - maybe we can get this one restriction lifted," said Ripsam, of Mesa, who calls the Gilbert store "one of most beautiful 7-Elevens you've ever seen."

Planning Commission member John Sentz said the single beer ban put Ripsam's store at a "complete disadvantage."

The ban was the only change sought by Ripsam, a mother of five whose husband and three employees help run the store.

"I'm not interested in selling pornography anyway," she said.

In fact, Ripsam likes her family-friendly, clean cut store.

Though the classical music rule was only meant for weekends to deter teenagers from hanging around the store, she decided to keep it on during all operating hours.

"A lot of people come in and say it's so soothing," Ripsam said.

She also enjoys being part of the Madera Parc community, to which she donated park equipment to fulfill another town requirement.

Only one person at last Wednesday's meeting spoke against lifting the ban, but had nothing negative to say about the way the store operates.

Commissioners commended the store for its positive presence in the community and for consistently complying with all restrictions even when nearby stores had no such limitations.

For example, there are eleven similar stores within a 1.5-mile radius that don't have any similar limitations, according to a staff report led by planner Amy Temes.

Temes said the surrounding area has changed significantly in the past decade and staff had no issue with removing the rule because research shows single beer sales do not negatively affect convenience stores or draw criminal activity.

Additionally, there have been only two complaints involving the store since it opened, and there have been no reports of loitering, gang activity or robbery.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert...rstore0311.html

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wow! Good news!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Myh local 7-11 sells beer and wine but no porn.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Myh local 7-11 sells beer and wine but no porn.

I worked behind the counter of 7-Eleven about 20 yrs. ago. We had those tree styled racks with bundled porn, sealed in plastic. You could never see what you're getting.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Myh local 7-11 sells beer and wine but no porn.

I worked behind the counter of 7-Eleven about 20 yrs. ago. We had those tree styled racks with bundled porn, sealed in plastic. You could never see what you're getting.

I make sure no one is looking and peel off the plastic so I can look.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Cheers!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Myh local 7-11 sells beer and wine but no porn.

I worked behind the counter of 7-Eleven about 20 yrs. ago. We had those tree styled racks with bundled porn, sealed in plastic. You could never see what you're getting.

I make sure no one is looking and peel off the plastic so I can look.

There were security cameras everywhere.

[almaty 19]

porn and beer...and frozen cardboard pizzas...ftw...