Oh thank Heaven for 7-Eleven!

That's what the hundreds who turned out to the Jacksonville Landing were saying Wednesday morning to celebrate the return of 7-Eleven convenience stores.  7-Eleven was bought out in Jacksonville by Gate Petroleum 22 years ago and has been absent ever since.

"Our plan is to do it big.  We'll be opening 15-20 stores this year," says 7-Eleven CEO and President Joe DePinto.

DePinto was joined by Governor Rick Scott and Mayor Alvin Brown  along with other state and local leaders who lauded the efforts of the public and private agencies that worked to bring 7-Eleven back.

"Now we can all go get the slurpees when we want them!" said Governor Scott.

The company plans to open 80 new stores in Jacksonville by 2015, which will create 800 new jobs for the city and also spur economic development and growth through competition.  The mayor also expressing his hopes that visitors to the city for major sporting events will take advantage of all the 7-Eleven stores that will be in town.

"Joe [DePinto], I can safely promise that many of those visitors are going to feel refreshed having one of your slurpees in Jacksonville sunshine."

Also on hand for the ceremony were Sleiman Enterprises president Toney Sleiman, Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolous, and Representative Mike Weinstein.

The people that turned out to the Landing were, of course, refreshed with a complimentary slurpee.  The first 7-Eleven store is slated to open in April at 14958 Duval Road.

The company estimates each store will generate $100,000 in revenue and employ 10 people.