Various 7-Eleven locations in Winnipeg may be permanently closing soon.
In a meeting with 7-Eleven’s CEO and officials from Canada, the Winnipeg City Council was warned that 10 more of their convenience stores face closure due to crime issues. This warning is unique for Winnipeg, as the company has historically experienced tremendous success in the city, but shoplifting challenges have now outpaced all their considerable security measures. The time-lock safes, LED lights, security cameras, removal of lottery tickets and tobacco from easy access at night, and the low amount of cash on hand have not been enough to stop the wholesale removal of products. Police regularly stop at 7-Eleven for coffee and Slurpees, but even this isn’t enough.
Some people have suggested liquor store-like IDs and locked doors, but this would be an expensive addition, as a full-time person would be required for security. Heaven help us if every store went this way—it would lead to line-ups the likes of which we haven’t seen since COVID. There may be a way to streamline this, but it puts too much onus on the retailer. To be fair, 7-Eleven already invests considerably in security.
The ten stores likely to close have not been identified, but several locations, such as those on William and Ellice, have already shuttered and remain boarded up. No other businesses have shown interest in these properties. And why would they? If a heavily secured 7-Eleven can’t withstand the crime, who can? Some areas of Winnipeg that are already food and convenience store deserts will become even more so.
The province has stepped up policing with support from retailers and restaurants, who are asking for these efforts to be extended and expanded. There is a feeling that some crime issues stem from a seeming lack of consequences, compounded by a real increase in toxic drugs that result in addiction and more desperation.
So, which stores are in danger of closing? They are:
- 1895 Wellington (Airport location)
- 119 Salter Street
- 1184 Portage Avenue (Wolseley location)
- 909 Lorette (Fort Rouge location)
- 665 McPhillips
- 120 Keewatin
- 456 Talbot
- 891 Arlington
- 1485 Inkster Blvd
- 815 Ellice.
One suggestion was for doors to be locked with only a few people let in at a time. In the U.S., sometimes only a takeout window is open. Some have suggested full-time security guards, but even grocery stores are finding that only police action and consistent arrests will put a stop to the theft.
Others will blame society, police, housing, poverty, and drugs, arguing that only a societal overhaul will help. That likely won’t save grocery and convenience stores. Certainly, police arrests of some individuals with tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen goods should give some idea of how pervasive the problem is. The loss of so many stores is an emergency requiring provincial and city effort. Having only two city councillors meet with the officials from 7-Eleven might not be enough. The warning should reach all elected officials, even those on holiday.
This has been a guest editorial by John Dobbin.
To read more from John, visit his blog Observations, Reservations, Conversations
