did you personally replace it?!?!

closing a local business can be a net positive; it just depends on the context. for example, i think many residents of the ironbound would find shutting down the garbage burning plant to be a net positive, despite it being a business. there was some concern—not unfounded—that opening a 7 Eleven in that location ran counter to local goals of making the Ironbound a more thriving retail and restaurant scene. generally, convenience stores are not huge economic generators. they usually serve a very limited purpose. given the other options for being cheap stuff in the neighborhood, it really wasn't adding much.

i think many of the people in the vicinity of 7 Eleven thought the store was a net negative. they did very little to resolve the persistent loitering on their steps and just outside the store while not offering much to increase the desirability of the neighborhood.

perhaps a greek mythology themed cocktail bar?

signals matter near penn because the two lines cross over each other