Dallas, Texas, USA

CallisonRTKL’s new 7-Eleven Lab Store in Dallas is the first iteration of a completely new convenience store design.

Ninety years later and just two miles from the original location where the 7-Eleven convenience concept was born, CallisonRTKL’s Dallas 7-Eleven Lab Store is another first of its kind.

This C-store concept has evolved to focus on curation and innovation.

The store will have made-to-order smoothies and agua frescas, a growler refill station for local craft beers, street tacos on handmade tortillas, baked-in-store cookies and croissants, and a patio and inside dining area.

The store will also feature digital initiatives that will enhance the shopping experience with
Scan & Pay technology, allowing customers to skip the checkout line and pay for purchases via
smartphone.

One of a handful of new test stores that 7-Eleven plans to open in the US, these stores will provide an innovation platform where the company can experiment with new products, experiences and store designs.

The one-off space holds true to its local neighborhood of West Dallas with corrugated metal, brick and warm wood finishes, colorful art installations, and photos of the original location.

The unique retail experience zones combined with flexible fixture designs and signage supports a diverse and future-forward retail initiative.

“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,” said Chris Tanco, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at 7-Eleven, Inc.

“Eleven stays at the forefront by pushing the boundaries and being unafraid to try new things.

This new lab store will serve as a place to test, learn, and iterate new platforms and products to see what really resonates with customers and how we can use those learnings to influence future store designs.”

Project: 7-Eleven Lab Store
Architects: CallisonRTKL
Client: 7-Eleven, Inc.