Tacos, craft beer, and patio seating?
Yeah, this isn’t your typical 7-Eleven.
The convenience-store chain opened its first-ever US lab store in Dallas on March 22. The store represents a stark departure from what many 7-Eleven patrons may have come to expect, featuring a taco stand and even a selection of wine.
“Convenience retailing is light years away from the days of bread and milk being sold from ice docks in 1927, and the industry is changing at a faster rate than ever before,” 7-Eleven executive vice president and chief operating officer Chris Tanco said in a statement.
Read more: The 10 retailers with the most devoted customers in America
Indeed, with the rise of Amazon Go’s cashierless, grab-and-go stores, the time is ripe for convenience chains to differentiate themselves from the pack. And the lab store’s investment in treats like frozen yogurt, fresh-baked goods, and local craft beers likely reflects an interest in transforming 7-Eleven into more of a destination.
“7-Eleven stays at the forefront by pushing the boundaries and being unafraid to try new things,” Tanco said in the statement.
Take a glimpse inside 7-Eleven’s store of the future: