A familiar sight for students and residents of Denver’s East High neighborhood has vanished. The 7-Eleven convenience store that stood at the corner of Colfax and Josephine for over a decade has permanently closed its doors. As a result, the building is now boarded up and covered in graffiti, looking like a shell of its former self.

The store opened in 2011, occupying a building specifically constructed for 7-Eleven. It quickly became a popular spot for grabbing snacks, drinks, and other essentials, especially for students during their lunch breaks or after school. The closure came as a surprise to many, as the store seemed to be doing well. Kentro Group, the owner of the property, confirmed 7-Eleven corporate made the decision to close but did not disclose the reason.

Despite the closure, Kentro Group retains ownership of the building and its lease with 7-Eleven still has a couple of years left. This leaves the future of the space uncertain. It could potentially sit vacant for a while, although Kentro is open to negotiating with interested parties who might have other plans for the location.

Kentro has experience repurposing former 7-Eleven properties. They successfully converted a former 7-Eleven in Cap Hill into the popular bagel shop, Call Your Mother. Additionally, they recently secured the rezoning of another former 7-Eleven site in Platt Park, opening up possibilities for future development.

The closure of the East High 7-Eleven marks the end of an era for the neighborhood. While the reasons for the closure remain unknown, the future of the building holds the potential for something different.