Here’s the sad news, folks: The 7-Eleven in Ship Bottom closed on Sunday.

SO LONG, SEVIES: As LBI continues on the trend of unchecked development, the Ship Bottom 7-Eleven has permanently closed. Called ‘Sevies’ by local surfers, it was one of the last convenience stores for the working class.

My first question is this: If this is no longer a 7-Eleven, will we still say we are surfing 7-11 (or simply “Sevies,” as we like to dub it)? Like, if you look at any surf map of New Jersey, the Ninth Street beach in Ship Bottom is clearly marked as 7-11.

My second question is this: Is anyone ever going to step up to preserve local life and the little things that keep our community what it is?

I don’t enjoy writing about the accelerated changes that have come to our sandbar in the past several years.