Why are seven eleven stores called seven eleven ? What does it mean ?

7-Eleven convenience stores were originally called Tote’m stores because customers “toted” away purchases. Many stores had Alaskan totem poles in front. The Tote’m name was changed to 7-Eleven in 1946 when stores began staying open from 7a.m. to 11a.m., 7 days a week.

In 1963 an Austin, Texas 7-Eleven near the University of Austin stayed so busy one evening after a football game it couldn’t close. The store began staying open 24 hours on weekends after that prompting other ones to do the same.

In April 2012 1,600 7-Elevens in California began to fight back against underage drinkers and smokers. New technology now allows employees to scan identification cards to verify validity and the stored birth date. There are plans to implement the system nationwide in May 2012 if no kinks or problems are reported by employees before then.