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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Shell Station at South/Leland in surprising transformation


Major, and surprising, changes are planned for the Shell station.
So, just what IS going on with Plainfield's Shell gas station at South and Leland Avenues?

After a reader inquired by email, I did a little digging and found out it's expected to be quite an amazing transformation.

Originally, it was expected to be a 'tenant-to-tenant' transfer of the company-owned station. After some dickering with Plainfield zoning officials over items that needed addressing -- such as enclosing the trash dumpster -- it seemed poised to move ahead until there was an interesting wrinkle.

City officials were informed that the Shell mini-mart currently in place (and there is a shaggy dog story associated with how THAT got build and approved!) would be replaced with -- are you sitting down? -- a 7-ELEVEN store.

Yes, ANOTHER 7-ELEVEN store, just one long block away from the new one that opened at the corner of Terrill Road and South Avenue a few weeks ago!

There is also a proposal to erect one of those huge canopy roofs that shelter the gas pumps from the elements and to change the signage, both of which will have to get variances from the Zoning Board. That matter could possibly be taken up as soon as the next meeting, which is set for Wednesday, November 2, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Library.

Members of the public who have questions or concerns may have them addressed at the Zoning Board meeting. Proposed plans for the project are available for inspection at the Planning Division on the second floor of City Hall during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.

What can be on the minds of the folks at
7-ELEVEN is anyone's guess.


-- Dan Damon [follow]

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4 comments:

Tom said...

I agree, it's rather strange to have 7-Eleven stores in such close proximity. I would think perhaps a Quick-chek instead? I suppose there are those more knowledgeable than we are making the decisions. Btw, what is that sign on the right side all about, "Duellen"??

Anonymous said...

It seemed somewhat odd that they would open another 7-11 so close to the one at Terrill Road, but then I noticed on Rt 22 were the center island shopping area is located there are THREE 7-11's. Yeappers 3. . . and one of them sells gas. All of which were built within the last few years.

I suppose they like to see competition amongst their stores. Though I wouldn't imagine the DQ would be happy if another one opened a few blocks away.

Personally I am happy to see the Shell Station replaced as there isn't any historic significance to it and it is starting to show it's age.

Let's hope this is a good thing for this prominent corner in the Netherwood Shopping District as it is part of the gateway into our City from the East.

jim spear

Rob said...

right up there with when they closed the PathMark in North Plainfield on 22 and opened the new one across the street from the A&P in South Plainfield....both owned by the same company.
They aren't thinking...unless of course the goal is the eventually close the other location. The gas would guarantee a higher volume of business.

Anonymous said...

to the tune of "Stairway to Heaven"

I'm a man from Iraq
And I'll never go back
'Cause I'm buying a seven eleven ...