By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and state Rep. Dorinda Borer were among a contingent of West Haven leaders who touted the announcement of a 24-hour 7-Eleven store during a groundbreaking ceremony at 480 Sawmill Road on Aug. 10.
Rossi and Borer, D-West Haven, were joined by father and son developers Jed and Jack Hayes to herald the convenience store giant’s new West Haven location at the former site of Staples, which was recently demolished after sitting vacant since 2006.
Those attending the ceremony included City Council Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, D-at large, Majority Leader Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, and members Chrystal Fanelli, D-8, Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; Planning Director Christopher Soto; Economic Development Commission Chairman Christine Gallo; and mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito, Jr.
The future 5,635-square-foot store, under construction off Interstate 95’s Exit 42, will feature 20 gas pumps for passenger vehicles and two counter-service restaurants owned and operated by 7-Eleven Inc.: Laredo Taco Co., an authentic Mexican quick-service eatery, and Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits.
Jed and Jack Hayes, the representatives of project co-developer SullivanHayes of Farmington, chose West Haven for a 7-Eleven store because of Sawmill Road’s dense population and high visibility from I-95.