BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The 7-Eleven on the corner of North Chester Avenue and East Roberts Lane has closed, which follows a string of businesses that have closed in the county area of Bakersfield.
Inside, the cooler shelves that once were stocked with beer, sodas and drinks sit empty with their price tag still on them.
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Wires hang loosely from the walls and ceilings while a slushie machine sits alone in the ambiently lit room, once a stop for all passersby in this part of town.
Wendy’s, Del Taco, Rite Aid and even Chase Bank are closing their doors on the Oildale community.
Local shops are still open, like the 40-year-hardened shop of North Chester — Oildale Glass — just a few buildings south of 7-Eleven.
Owner Jodi Martin has seen a lot of businesses come and go,
“A lot of businesses shutting down, most of them due to probably age,” said Martin.
Martin has seen North Chester change throughout the years, even more so recently.
“A lot of the businesses, the older businesses … they’ve all come and gone. And we’re seeing a lot of new life in Oildale, Hispanics moving in, taking over and running some good businesses,” said Martin.
Most recent Census data shows Oildale is 63% white and 34% Hispanic — the Hispanic population has grown over the years.
Martin said he didn’t know the 7-Eleven closed.
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“Just time, time changes a lot of things,” Martin said. “A wide variety of homeless, but I mean, it’s not just Oildale, it’s all over.”
Martin’s shop still stands strong with the changes. And one 24-year resident believes it’s good change.
“We can change that 7-Eleven to who knows? Like a little stop hub for like, Tesla vehicles to charge up. We could have it to be a center for DoorDashers or something. I feel like it’ll be for the best,” said Scot Logan.
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