7-11-11: Chill Out with a Free Slurpee, Today Only

Man, is it hot out there – just the kind of weather 7-Eleven managers hope for on its national free Slurpee day.

Known at what corporate officials call "the world’s first convenience store" as 7-Eleven Day, Monday is the day when the company marks 84 years since it was founded in Dallas, Texas.

Participating  stores across America and Canada (including one on Bloomfield Ave near the intersection of Maple) will serve five million free Slurpee frozen carbonated beverages in special birthday cups on Monday (while supplies last). According to 7-Eleven headquarters, the convenience store chain has been celebrating its birthday with free Slurpee drinks since its 75th anniversary celebration in 2002.

In Montclair, the manager of the Bloomfield store, Ampesh, said the promotion has been quite successful today.  "There are a lot of people coming in," he told Patch, though he noted there was not a line to buy Slurpees at the moment.  He said the frozen drinks, which will be free until 11:30 pm, are offered in assorted flavors and are sized at, appropriately, 7.11 ounces.   

Since the first store opened in 1927, 7-Eleven has grown into a major retailing chain with close to 8,200 stores in North America and more than 38,100 worldwide, according to figures from a company press release.

So if you’re hankering for Slurpee because of the weather, or just because it’s free today, the nearest 7-Eleven is just down Bloomfield Avenue.