7-Eleven celebrates South L.A. grand opening
June 23, 2016
by Charlene Muhammad
Contributing Writer
7-Eleven, Inc. franchisee Moiz Ali celebrated the grand opening of a new store in South Los Angeles.
City Councilman Curren Price, Tracy Mitchell, president of Mothers in Action, and Armond Ross, president of the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce and the Ross Group, Inc., were among dignitaries who joined owner Moiz Ali as he welcomed the community into his store on June 16.
“What we wanted to do today specifically was show the community what resources they have. Not only get a great deal from us, but be able to interact with people in our community,” Ali said of the dignitaries who attended.
Ali said he decided to open on King and Figueroa because the community really needs a great store. “We wanted to put a safe environment for parents and kids to come and shop. Plus, we’re 24 hours and with all the activity that’s going to be happening at the Coliseum and the area, we really wanted to open up a store and give the community what they need,” Ali stated.
The grand opening took place on the parking lot of the buzzing corner, which sits just across from the Los Angeles Coliseum, adjacent to the historic Broadway Federal Bank, and just up the street from the California African American Museum.
During the celebration, customers enjoyed discounted favorites, including burgers, pizza, ICEEs, and savory items from 7-Eleven’s private 7-Select GO!Yum and GO!Smart Premium Lines, launched in 2015. The items include Gluten-free, GMO-free, and organically sweetened treats found normally at specialty, rather than convenient stores.
This marks the third store for Ali, who has grown up in 7-Eleven for 30 years. His other two stores are in West L.A. and Torrance, and his father’s three are located on L.A.’s Westside.
Ali said they found people were excited about the store, and he has never felt that before.
“I was telling my father that in our 30 years of getting a store, I’ve never felt so embraced in the community before. When we opened a store, I felt that people were really interested in coming to the store, being a part of it, hiring from the community,” Ali said.
Marquel Robinson was one new hire among the store’s multicultural staff, who met customers with a radiant smile that matched his personality. He got the job through the Economic Workforce Development Department (EWDD).
According to Ali, his store and 7-Eleven have just donated $711 to open up a college fund for Robinson, who intends to study at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College and then the University of Southern California.
“It feels really good. It’s something I didn’t expect. At first I thought, I used to be a customer here, it was a regular store, but after I got to know the people here and know the people that run this and how friendly they are, and how much they actually do care about you, it was really, really surprising,” Robinson stated.
“I feel like it’s another home,” he continued. The best part of his work day is meeting new people and being able to work with friendly, nice co-workers.
Robinson thanked the EWDD for opening doors for him. “It is a very good organization. I wish there were ways for it to be in different states, because I have friends that would really, really benefit from the EWDD,” he said.
“I think it’s a great service to the community. We appreciate the services that are being provided here, the jobs that are being created … I’m so excited by the events taking place in this whole area,” said Councilman Curren Price.
Tracy Mitchell, president of Mothers in Action, likewise was glad to see 7-Eleven opening in the community. She said Ali’s stores have a track record of partnering with Mothers in Action for its back to school efforts.
“My mother (Brenda Marsh-Mitchell), the late founding president of Mothers in Action, used to work closely with 7-Eleven and they were always very positive in the community and made donations, not only money, but also supplies and stuff to different programs that we conduct,” Mitchell said.
“I think it’s a positive thing to have businesses showing corporate responsibility in our community,” she added.
Ross was instrumental in bringing Ali’s store to South L.A. Good, clean, 7-Eleven convenience stores in South L.A. are a plus for residents, he stated.
“We’re happy to have 7-Eleven as a client. We’re happy to bring their quality brand of items and goods to the community, especially to South L.A., where we don’t have enough grocery stores for the population,” Ross said.