Northfield 7-11 Closing After Nearly 60 Years

The Northfield 7-11, a 58-year-old landmark at Jackson Avenue and New Road, will be closing in early May.

A source said that the store would close on May 6th, but May 5th would be the final day for customers.

Cardboard signs hanging inside and out of the store offer 20% off on candy, drinks, and other store merchandise.

It's a sad ending for a store that was a daily stopping spot for drivers on their way to work to stop in for coffee -- the store's specialty was the blueberry coffee -- and breakfast.

It must also be sad for the generations of kids who used the store as a meeting place, close enough to walk to or ride their bikes.

A Little History of Northfield's 7-11

A review of building permits shows that John Kishbaugh received permission to build the Northfield 7-11 on June 11, 1968, at 900 New Road.

The Northfield store appears to have been a franchise for most of its time in business, until 2024, when the corporate, Japan-based Seven & I Holdings, took over the operation.

The earlier store owner that older locals still talk about is Dominic Mevoli, who is remembered fondly for his involvement in the community and for being nice to the kids in the neighborhood.

Mr. Mevoli, from Ventnor, died in 2002 at age 53.

The Patels Take Over

Kintal and Kinju Patel took over the 7-11 after Melovi's death.

When they sold the business in 2024, the Northfield Police remembered them as 'the heart and soul of the Northfield 7-11'.

The Patels have always embodied the spirit of Northfield. Their store was more than just a place to grab a drink or coffee—it was a welcoming space where officers were greeted with smiles and engaging conversations.

 

Their generosity shone brightly during the 2012 derecho when they reached out with ice, sandwiches, and more to support both the police department and the community in our time of need.

The Patels were well-liked and ran a clean operation.

The Patels Retire

An online listing from 2023 shows that the couple tried to sell the franchise when they decided to retire, but were unsuccessful.

At that point, the store was taken over by corporate, and regulars noticed that it wasn't kept up as well after that.

This seems to have been a problem recently at many 7-11's stores nationwide and at the more than 350 7-11s in New Jersey.

The parent company has announced that they plan to close 645 stores around the country this year, but open as many as 200 new 7-11s in better locations.

Although no official plan has been given for the Northfield store, it seems like it won't be returning as a 7-11.

It's a pity, too. There is a lack of convenient shopping in that part of Northfield, and the 7-11 was a handy option to have.

To those who once used the store as a hangout or a meet-up spot, that will be just a memory.