SIGHTS
A wall of built-in coolers (containing milk, butter, other dairy products, different sizes of soft drinks, vitamin water, juices, plain water, and energy drinks), tile floors, shelving units lined up to form aisles, a section for medicinal items (pain remedies, stomach aids, cold pills), personal products (tampons, condoms, deodorant, shampoo, hand cream, hand sanitation wipes, travel packs of diapers), canned goods (beans, ravioli, soups, etc.), outdoor items (bug spray, sunscreen, etc.), car products such as motor oil and air fresheners, an assortment of snacks (candy, gum, chocolate bars, chips, granola bars, doughnuts), a self-serve beverage station (soda machines, coffee dispensers, coffee condiments, cups, lids, straws, napkins), a rack of bread loaves, a lottery center for filling out lottery tickets, a beverage counter (with coffee, hot chocolate and slush machines), an open cooler holding fresh fruit and prepackaged sandwiches, security mirrors and cameras throughout the store, a newspaper and magazine stand, a front counter (with a cash register, a display of lighters, lottery scratch tickets, adult magazines, a bin of pepperoni and beef jerky, energy shots, almanacs, and other impulse buys), a wall of cigarettes and tobacco products, an automated lottery machine, advertisements on the walls or hung from the ceiling, hand-written signs for sale items and special deals, a hallway at the back that leads to an employee’s room that doubles as a storage and janitorial area, an office, a set of restrooms
SOUNDS
The jingle or buzz of the door opening, the vacuum seal on a refrigerated case breaking as a door opens, drink bottles clinking together, bottles or cans sliding forward when the first one in the row is removed, kids asking for candy, ice clanging into a cup, soda being dispensed, someone tapping a straw on the counter to break the wrapper, the whirring of the slush machine, coffee percolating, the crinkle of potato chip bags, an attendant talking with a customer, change being dropped to the counter, the chime of the cash register opening, drawers opening and closing, the rattle of a plastic bag, till tape spitting out of the debit machine
SMELLS
Air conditioning, coffee brewing, pine or lemon cleaner, gasoline, grease from a countertop rotary hot dog machine, cleaning supplies
TASTES
A sugary sip from a slushy drink, swigging back a gulp of water or pop while waiting in line, taking a sip of coffee to make sure it has enough cream or sugar before tossing the stir stick
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
The slight give when squeezing a loaf of bread to test its freshness, a slush cup’s shocking coldness, condensation on a refrigerated beverage, the glossy cover of a magazine, the tap of a sugar packet against the fingers as one shakes it before tearing it open, running one’s fingers over the bumpy numbers on a debit card while waiting to pay, balancing a bunch of items in the crook of one’s arm, walking over a sticky spot on the floor, foaming soda spilling from an overfilled cup
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Shoplifters
Teenagers or shady-looking people loitering at the entrance
Working alone and seeing a customer acting oddly (looking around a lot, appearing secretive)
A robbery
Having to take a small child into an unclean restroom
Having too many people in the store at once to monitor
An employee who quits mid-shift
A sugar-loaded child that throws up all over the floor
Teenagers trying to purchase beer or cigarettes
A customer locking her keys in the car while a baby or dog is inside
A carjacking in the parking lot
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
Adult customers, delivery people, store employees, teenagers and children
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
Gas station, grocery store, truck stop
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Some convenience stores, especially those with gas stations, may have a small takeout counter or even a mini-restaurant as part of the store. These add-ons have limited offerings that are attractive to people looking for a quick bite to eat on the road or for those taking a pit stop during a trip. Many stores have extended hours or even operate twenty-four hours a day, and some will also sell a limited supply of liquor (usually a few brands of beer and coolers).
Another way to make your convenience store setting stand out is to stock it with products the locals need and want. If it’s near a lake, likely there will be a small section for fishing tackle and even a cooler with live bait. A store popular with campers and hikers may offer easy-to-forget camping supplies and trail-ready food. If your store is close to a tourist site like a waterpark, it may have a good selection of sunscreens, blow-up pool toys, sunglasses, hats, and even souvenir trinkets bearing the park’s name. Adding a few extras to a familiar setting like a convenience store can turn a commonplace location into something fresh and unique.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
Randall shoved open the door and his sweat-soaked shirt instantly cooled. He tipped his head back and closed his eyes. Sweet, blissful air conditioning. He only had a couple of bucks, but he took his time wandering the aisles before finally selecting a drink from the cooler and bringing it to the front counter. He’d barely made it here from the bus stop and wanted to be as cool as possible before returning to the oven outside for his walk home.
Techniques and Devices Used: Contrast, metaphor, weather
Resulting Effects: Establishing mood