It’s Oh Thank Heaven at Marshall 7-11

It’s Oh Thank Heaven at Marshall 7-11

By Leonard Shapiro

What’s two x seven plus two x eleven?

In elementary school math, that would be 36. In Marshall, it adds up to two 7-11 franchises, the original at the intersection of Main Street and Rectortown Road and, coming soon, a new store now under construction less than a half-mile away near the on and off ramps for I-66.

Bernice Simpson, who has owned the busy in-town store the last 13 years, also is the proud new owner of the second 7-11. Why so close together? The new operation was being built by corporate, the better to attract folks looking for a quick stop seconds off the highway.

Marshall 7-11 manager Kim Doffermire, owner Bernice Simpson, and Brooke Doffermire.

Photo by Leonard Shapiro

A Marshall native who attended the old Marshall High School (a half-block away from the current store), Bernice was offered the second franchise, and decided “why not?”

The original is a true local gathering place, where, like the song goes, “everyone knows your name.”

Kim Doffermire, the store’s effervescent manager, said, “I still think this will still be the community place. The company was going to build it whether we took or not, so we’re going to do it.”

Kim’s daughter, Brooke, is training to take over her mom’s duties and will run the in-town operation. Kim will run the new location and keep an eye on the original.

Staffing is the main concern for both stores. Because they’re open 24-7, three shifts are needed, and the work includes far more than standing behind the front counter, operating the cash register and dispensing lottery tickets, cigarettes and big gulps.

“There’s a lot to do,” Kim said. “We make the coffee, we make the food, we’re always cleaning, stocking the shelves. For me, the customer service is the best part, what I really enjoy the most.”

Thirteen years ago, Bernice was working in real estate in Ocala, Florida when her daughter, Sharon, who lived in Marshall, called one day and told her “guess what’s for sale?”

“I was getting bored down there,” Bernice said. “I had two Jack Russells and a husband, the real estate market was going bottom up and we decided to go back. When I first came to the store, it was nasty. The floor was black. It’s the same building now, but it cleaned up really nice.”

Bernice is a frequent presence. “I’m here just to see the customers, and I think the customers like to see me,” she said. “I pretty much know most of them. If I don’t know them, I’m probably kin to them.”

In addition to the regular staff, the store also has a few volunteers, locals like affable retired truck driver “Mr. Gene” Sanford who is often there in the morning, helping make coffee or other odd jobs. Police officers are regulars,, not so much for law enforcement as to take a break with a cup of coffee, always on the house for volunteers and cops.

Security has not been much of an issue under Simpson’s watch. There are cameras inside and out, the better to discourage the occasional shoplifter. Coffee and donuts fly out the door in the morning, pizza and hot dogs at lunchtime and cold beer is a big seller afternoon and nights.

Simpson also placed tables and chairs outside so regulars have a place to sit, sip and schmooze. And once in a while they may even say to themselves, “oh thank heaven for 7-11, especially Bernice and Kim.”