# Mini-mart, 7-11, Convenience Store, Gas Station what do you call those places you buy bread & milk? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 6, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648 "2012-01-06T18:43:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/1 "2012-01-06T18:43:31Z")
I usually say 7-11 even though they all left my state over twenty years ago. 7-11 was the original mini-mart in my childhood town. Or I’ll say the Exxon because its two blocks away and that’s where I buy gas and get milk, bread, candy etc. other terms I can think of Mini-mart, Gas Station, Convenience Store, or maybe a specific local store name? I’m sure there’s store names I’m not familiar with. ---
**Author:** ![Butterscotch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Butterscotch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Butterscotch)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/2 "2012-01-06T18:46:18Z")
When I lived in England we used to call it “the corner shop” which often was shortened to “the corner”. Here in Italy you go to the alimentari. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/3 "2012-01-06T18:50:53Z")
I might say Diamond Shamrock, since it’s the closest place. Although I’m in the middle of Circle K territory, so that’s what most people in my area are likely to say. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/4 "2012-01-06T18:52:52Z")
I always say “Kwik-E Mart” because of _The Simpsons_. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/5 "2012-01-06T18:54:45Z")
They are all of those things. 7-11 is ubiquitous, and in my area there are some neighborhoods where 7-11s are literally only a block apart, but it has still not become a generic name for all convenience stores. There used to be 6-Twelves but those have all become something else now. Almost all gas stations have stores now. Some even have local chain restaurants attached (Jerry’s Subs & Pizza around here). There are corner stores and Beer & Wine Delis everywhere. Everyone I know just calls everything by what it is specifically or just goes out to “the store.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/6 "2012-01-06T18:56:00Z")
Gas station, because for me that’s what it is. It’s 10 minutes to “the gas station” or it’s 20 minutes to “the grocery store.” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/7 "2012-01-06T18:56:24Z")
Around here most of them are either actual **7-11** s or **AM-PM** minimarts attached to Arco gas stations. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/8 "2012-01-06T18:59:08Z")
It is amazing how many people use the actual store name. Circle K, Exxon, Shell or whatever is closest to your house. I can remember when milk was cheaper at the gas station. It was a product incentive to get you to stop and hopefully buy gas too. Today, milk & bread _costs more_ at a convenience store than a grocery store. That convenience comes at a price. 😉 I miss the old mom & pop country stores. I bought a lot of RC Cola and moon pies there. They were the first small grocers in rural areas. Sometimes they sold sandwich meat too. But the mini-marts pretty much put them out of business. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/9 "2012-01-06T19:01:25Z")
Stop and Rob ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/10 "2012-01-06T19:05:13Z")
Corner store ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/11 "2012-01-06T19:06:24Z")
I call it the gas station because in our area it is rare to find a shop that sells milk, bread and candy that is not a gas station. We used to have Convenient and Dairy Mart but the gas stations in our area sell just as much or more than they used to. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/12 "2012-01-06T19:13:02Z")
I checked off “convenience store,” but I’m likely to use the actual store’s name (mostly 7-11 and AM-PM around here). I’d never buy milk or bread there, though. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/13 "2012-01-06T19:16:12Z")
merriam-webster says convenience store was first used in 1965. > **[Definition of CONVENIENCE STORE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convenience%20store)** > > a small often franchised market that is open long hours… See the full definition mini mart in 1981 > **[Definition of MINI-MART](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mini-mart)** > > convenience store… See the full definition ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/14 "2012-01-06T19:17:23Z")
I usually say “The Store.” Joe ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/15 "2012-01-06T19:20:07Z")
“Convenience store” is the generic term, although I would refer to the local “corner store” when I was a kid. But when I refer to a specific one, I use the name of course. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/16 "2012-01-06T19:25:04Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I checked off “convenience store,” but I’m likely to use the actual store’s name (mostly 7-11 and AM-PM around here). I’d never buy milk or bread there, though. Same here, except I checked the store’s actual name. The grocery store is close enough that I don’t have to pay the outrageous prices at a gas station/convenience store for milk and bread and such. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/17 "2012-01-06T19:27:32Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I might say Diamond Shamrock, since it’s the closest place. Although I’m in the middle of Circle K territory, so that’s what most people in my area are likely to say. We have a ton of Circle K’s around here and they are known as the Circle Jerk in my family… ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/18 "2012-01-06T19:30:12Z")
I just call it White Hen Pantry. You know, despite the fact that it’s no longer White Hen Pantry, and hasn’t been for yours. In all seriousness, I call it the “convenient store” if I’m just being general about it. I know that’s horrible and wrong, but so it goes. Usually I use the name of the specific store, though. ---
**Author:** ![kenner116](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@kenner116](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenner116)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/19 "2012-01-06T19:58:52Z")
Convenience store, but if I’m in South Jersey I’ll most likely say that I’m going to [Wawa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wawa_Food_Markets) to pick up some hoagies and a jug of diet peach green tea. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648/20 "2012-01-06T20:06:32Z")
The petrol station or 7-11 if that’s what it is. Other than that we’d say ‘the shop’, or ‘the dairy’ (which is a particular NZ reference), Australians would call it ‘the milk bar’. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-mart-7-11-convenience-store-gas-station-what-do-you-call-those-places-you-buy-bread-milk/608648.md?page=2)