The days of customers filling up Slurpees in North Kildonan are numbered at 1393 Henderson Highway. Another 7-Eleven location will soon be closing. Regulars who spoke with CTV News are in shock. “A couple days ago I said, ‘what’s going on, because I saw the for-sale sign, he says we’re closing,” said Bernie Lamanski, who has been coming to this location for 15 years. While no set date has been announced, customers that spoke with CTV News said they heard it could be later this month. In a statement to CTV News, Marc Goodman, vice-president and general manager of 7-Eleven Canada, confirmed the closure, saying in part “we continuously review and optimize our portfolio to deliver convenience where, when and how customers need it. “As part of this, we made the decision to divest and close a number of non-core assets that do not fit into our growth strategy.” “The parent organization which is headquartered in Japan is trying to find ways to streamline its north American operations,” said Shiu-Yik Au, associate professor of finance at the University of Manitoba. Au said 7-Eleven is owned by a Japanese company that has managed to make the convenience chain profitable overseas because of lower transportation costs and more favourable logistics and geography. The professor said, however, the same can’t be said for Canadian sales. The North Kildonan closure joins several that have closed across the city since 2024. Customers who spoke with CTV News said they believe shoplifting was the biggest factor. “I come here almost every day after work, and you see it, they walk in, they grab their stuff and they run out,” said Warren Bergen, a regular of the location for 30 years. “I’ve been in that store and I’ve seen shoplifters,” Lamanski said. Lamanski said seniors like him will now have to trek to a 7-Eleven in Elmwood or further north on Henderson Highway near McIvor Mall. Coun. Jeff Browaty, who represents North Kildonan, said he finds it appalling to hear the growing concerns over retail crime in his neighbourhood and is disappointed to see the store close. Browaty said the city and new council need to budget for more police officers to patrol businesses like these. Browaty said the courts and justice system also need to take these crimes seriously so there are “meaningful consequences for crime.”
