7-Eleven slated to open at car dealership site

An artist’s rendering of the proposed 7-Eleven at 13034 Downey Ave. The bottom rendering shows the convenience store as seen from Gardendale Street. City of Downey image

DOWNEY — A modern-designed 7-Eleven is poised to open in south Downey on a site currently occupied by a used car dealership.

The 2,800 sq. ft. convenience store is projected to open at 13034 Downey Ave., pending approval by the City Council on a zone change.

Downey’s Planning Commission gave its blessing to the project earlier this year on a variety of conditions, including that the store’s buildings and walls be finished with graffiti resistant materials and that security lighting be installed outdoors.

The store will sell beer and wine for off-site consumption; beer, however, must be sold in quantities of six-packs or larger, and wine cannot be sold in containers of less than 750 milliliters (with the exception of wine coolers sold in four-pack containers or more).

The city also prohibited the 7-Eleven store from posting alcohol advertising on its exterior walls, windows or doors.

Twenty-one trees will surround the store, which will be open 24 hours a day.

The new store will feature modern architecture with a flat roof and metal canopy. The building will include a two-tone stucco finish, large windows, and vertical wood-alternate siding at the corners.

The property has functioned as a used car dealership since 2000, when it was converted from a service station. An existing 1,400 sq. ft. building will be demolished to make room for the 7-Eleven.