The company's early convenience outlets were known as Tote'm stores because customers "toted" away their purchases, and many stores even sported genuine Alaskan totem poles in front.
But in 1946, the Tote'm name changed to 7‑Eleven to reflect the stores' new, extended hours - 7am until 11pm, seven days a week.
Initially, people would come from miles to shop at the ice plant/retail shop combo that offered curb service, staples, canned goods and in season, ice-cold watermelon.
But as convenience stores grew in the 1950s, the retail outlet then became the “mom-and-pop” neighborhood grocery store, the “ice-house,” the dairy store, the supermarket and the delicatessen all in one location.
At this time, 7‑Eleven stores opened in other parts of Texas for the first time. Shortly after that, 7‑Eleven expanded across state lines to Florida, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. 7‑Eleven now operated hundreds of stores across the country.
Currently, 7‑Eleven has more than 56,600 stores around the world. You’ll continue to find among the staples, fresh sandwiches, new-age beverages and the product that started it all – ICE – but now in a convenient-to-carry package for home entertainment.
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