Farida Yaris is excited to be back at her "home" store in Coquitlam as the 7-Eleven at 2640 Austin Ave. has re-opened after a devastating fire.
"It's like my second home," said Yaris, looking around at the newly renovated store that shows no signs of an electrical fire that she said closed the store for several months.
For the last few months, workers have been restoring the building located at the corner of Schoolhouse Street and Austin Avenue.
It now has a washroom for the public and brand new coffee machines that make everything from lattés and hot chocolate to brewed Arabica coffee.
The store is complete with sandwiches, doughnuts, hot dogs, pizza, drinks and convenience grocery items.
Manager Aman Raheja said he is "excited" to host a grand opening this Friday, Jan. 13 at 11:07 a.m. for the store that re-opened on New Year's Eve.
"We've invited the community and there will be lots of prizes and food," Raheja said.
For Yaris, returning to the 7-Eleven is a relief after months working at several stores around the Tri-Cities while she waited for the restoration to be complete.
She said the community has been "very supportive," and typically participates in contests and promotions, helping the store win for most sandwiches purchased, for example.
Yaris, who has worked for 7-Eleven since 1996, said she knows many of the regulars and hopes they will come to the grand opening.
7-Eleven ribbon-cutting at 11:07 a.m.
At 11:07 a.m. the ribbon and cake cutting will take place and Raheja said local schools and the library have been invited.
There will be spinning wheels with jackpot prizes, such as a year of free Slurpees or coffee, a gift basket and a gift card.
As well, the store will donate $711 to a local charity.
Members of the community can also stop by to get coupons and free coffee, Slurpees, pizza and hot dogs.
