Lighting Doesn't Improve the Look of 7-Eleven Neon

By Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, December 14, 2007, at 02:19PM

7-Eleven Neon Eric Richardson [Flickr]

The Mandel’s 7-Eleven got its neon at least partially lit recently, and the neon glow doesn’t change the initial dislike I had in September. The corner signage is pleasant, but the blade sign on 7th looks horrible from any sort of distance. The green on the “Eleven” lettering – several shades lighter than the same green on the corner sign – melds into a washed out blob of color until one gets within several dozen feet of it.

Inside the fixtures keep looking more complete and opening could occur within the next few weeks. Will I still visit once the store comes online? Of course. Will I still wish the building had made better aesthetic decisions? Absolutely.




Comments

1
John Swartz writes:

Ok, first of all, I am happy that a 7-11 is opening up. I mean, why did they wait so long? We have 3 rite aids and 2 or more Famimas, but no 7-Elevens.

I saw this the other day as I was walking by, but I assumed it was just for filming. You never know when something is real or not in downtown! Every corner is constantly re-decorated for filming…. even the street signs are posted over. This must really confuse tourists.

Now that I know its real, I too agree that they have made very poor decisions with the exterior facade elements. Do they not have a consultant for this kind of stuff?

-J

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 03:28 PM
2
Derick writes:

I don’t understand. Do you want them to use their regular generic 7-Eleven sign they use everywhere else? This is a step up from their regular plastic signs. You can’t do a whole lot with their already established colors and logos.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 04:07 PM
3
Rico A writes:

I guess I’m in the minority here, but I do like the neon signage. I think it differentiates it from other 7-Elevens.

And with the Seven Grand neon signage across the street, it will create a nice effect at night.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 04:17 PM
4
Eric Richardson writes:

I like neon. I even like their corner neon. I just don’t like their blade sign neon. It’s a indistinct blob, both lit and not lit.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 04:45 PM
5
LAofAnaheim writes:

I agree with Rico. I think the 7-11 signage looks great!

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 04:59 PM
6
L. writes:

I think the neon looks fine. I walk by the Mandel all the time and this store and its signage brighten up an otherwise drab and dark corner. I think the neon sign looks much better than the backlit plastic that we se everywhere else and from far away its clearly a 7-Eleven. I’m sorry - I just think this needless nitpicking.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 05:01 PM
7
Don Garza writes:

yes,

Even I have to chime in and say the 7-11 sign looks great.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 05:02 PM
8
Desert Bruin writes:

Thankfully, there is no parking lot in front of this 7-11. 7-11 parking lots are the grungiest places in suburbia. When I was in grad school, I took my tightie whities, etc. to a laundromat during rush hour one morning, next door to a 7-11 at Fulton & Moorpark in Sherman Oaks. Talk about automotive combat! I stood at the front window and watched the scene unfold. All the morning commuters just had to stop and get their cup of java: yelling, honking, screaming, bent fenders and index fingers galore. It was SO illuminating. There and then I decided to register my absence at the Null and Void Trust Company, if you know what I mean.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 06:03 PM
9
Jordan writes:

Don’t dis the neon! I just walked by last night and actually commented to my buddy that I was so happy about the “cool” blade signage. I think it’s refreshingly different looking from every other 7-11 I’ve seen. I think it’s a good choice.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 06:19 PM
10
brady westwater writes:

I saw it two nights ago and thought the new neon neon blade was a huge improvement over their usual signage - and that it looks particularly cool across from the Seven Grand sign. Ironically, I was hoping someone else would post a photo of it so everyone could see how great it looked.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 11:07 PM
11
Whitman Lam writes:

I like the retro - Las Vegas chic look. But it’s barely readable from afar… hardly even looks like the ubiquitous 7-11 logo. I myself prefer new LED technology. But alas, all that flash is of no use… if the store hasn’t opened yet. Please open soon, I need some jumbo hot dogs and a big gulp.

# on Dec.14.2007 AT 11:20 PM
12
Don Garza writes:

For those who clicked on Brady Westwater’s name above in his comment ;Here is the correct url

http://www.lacowboy.blogspot.com

# on Dec.15.2007 AT 01:14 AM
13
chapmanprospect writes:

I think the sign is just fine. Why are people being so picky about such a trivial thing and not appreciate that 7 Eleven has made the move to DTLA?

# on Dec.15.2007 AT 03:56 PM
14
Scott Mercer writes:

Sign, shmign. I want my Slurpee!

Open open open!

# on Dec.16.2007 AT 07:45 AM
15
jki writes:

It’s not so important that it looks good or not, but that it’s different.

DIFFERENT + RICHER = BETTER

DIFFERENT + POORER = WORSE

For example, there are still some old Denny’s signs, with the wackier lettering (which I think looks better). If the Denny’s is in a poor neighborhood, it’ll be interpreted as neglect by the mainstream. People will say, “man, that Denny’s is run down and old; look at that sign.” If it’s in a rich area, then people will say, “that sign is part of our heritage as a community, and should not be changed.”

# on Dec.16.2007 AT 02:24 PM
16
mmm writes:

Haha, JKI, very true!

I think the sign looks nice too

# on Dec.18.2007 AT 02:19 PM
17
Matt Mattu writes:

Hi guys, This is Matt, I didn’t know that these conversations about the LA downtown 7-Eleven were going on.I am so thrilled to read all of your views.I am the franchisee of this store and would like to meet each of you personally so that I can give you anything you desire in the store for sharing your views. We are having a grand opening on the 20th March,2008. I know it’s not enough notice and maybe non of you will read this but still please come and visit me. I will be honored to visit with you. I love my guests that come to us for their shopping needs and I would like to fullfill your requirements by offering you the best customer service in a clean and friendly environment in the world. This is not a sales pitch but I sincerely believe in honorable values of life.

# on Mar.19.2008 AT 10:32 PM

Your Comment:

YOUR INFORMATION:

Want blogdowntown to remember you?
Create a user account or log in.

Name:
Email:
URL:
GUIDELINES:
  • Comments should be on the topic of the post or they will be removed.
  • Use the live preview below to see how your comment will look before posting.
  • Keep it civil, everyone. If you're attacking people instead of arguments, or being overly profane, expect your comment to get deleted.

FORMATTING BASICS:

blogdowntown uses Markdown formatting.

_Italics_
__Bold__
<http://url.to.link>
[link text](http://url)

COMMENT:

Preview

Start typing...