Back Bay to get first of Chicago-based convenience stores with takeout food a step up from that one hot dog endlessly turning on those metal rods

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Bildner’s deal with family owned local stores was “sell us your business in return for stock in our amazing company that has nowhere to go but up.”

And when all was said and done the families who had built up generations of sweat equity in their businesses ended up with some nice stock certificates, suitable for framing.

This made me think of the best convenience stores in the world: 7-Eleven in Japan. There's one (or two or three) on every block, and they’re full of good food and lots of other stuff you really need, not just endless aisles of chips and soda. They’re so good they own all of our 7-Elevens. I just wish they’d make ours that good.

There was one associated with the gas station under my hotel at the edge of Hyde Park. Auntie and I would grab breakfast as part of our hotel deal, then hit the little grocery for food for lunch on the go.

The place wasn't just a snack trough for motorists and tourists - it had a limited selection of actual groceries for people living in the area, fresh fruit and veg, sandwiches, etc.

They also had packaged cocktails, beer, wine, spirits.

I was surprised how easy it was to get healthy grab and go foods and how many grocery stores of varying sizes there were tucked into neighborhoods in central London. Some were even set up as full size/service grocery stores with a side area with more of the "convenience" items and a separate checkout.

Who will penetrate the Boston market first?

Is that like a Tim Horton's Ice Cap?