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Drop by Grand 7th anytime of day and chances are you’ll have the distinct pleasure of meeting the convenience store’s dynamic owner, Firas Hussain.
Embodying the legendary small-town spirit of Coconut Grove, he might be busy behind the counter or keeping the shelves neatly stocked, but Firas rarely misses an opportunity to smile, make small talk, and maybe even offer you a freshly made hot colada, a quintessential Miami classic.
Part quick-stop store, pharmacy, and Thai take-out restaurant, let’s take a close look into Firas’ story and the warm, inviting atmosphere that he lovingly has cultivated for more than 28 years at Grand 7th — a cherished gem in the heart of the Grove’s Business Improvement District (BID).
Q: How did you get your start in the convenience store business?
FIRAS: I used to work part-time in convenience stores during college and later was given the opportunity to take over the 7/11 that used to be in the Grove. In five years, I’d love to fortify the pharmacy concept and have our convenience store operate more as a general store, as well as make most of our services available online.
Q: What features set you apart from other convenience stores?
FIRAS: For starters, we’re much more than a convenience store. Grand 7th hosts a take-out restaurant and a full-functioning pharmacy as well. Visitors can fulfill most of their general needs at our stores.
Q: Where do you see Grand 7th in five years, and in 15 years?
FIRAS: We currently have stores in Allapattah, Miami Gardens, Kendall, and of course the flagship location here in the Grove. So, 15 years from now, why not dream big? My vision is to have our operation running across the country.
Q: What part of your upbringing and culture of your country of origin come to play in your success as a businessman?
FIRAS: I was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq. From an early age, I understood that knowing how to be genuinely friendly and to incorporate a community feel into my work would be a key to success in business — and of course a strong devotion to being innovative.
Q: When did the pharmacy open for business? Does it offer any specialized services?
FIRAS: We introduced the pharmacy in 2018. What makes us unique is that we’re open late and we can fill both international and domestic prescriptions. Also, we sell over-the-counter items, and are certified to provide vaccines, including COVID-19 and flu shots.
Q: Aside from the pharmacy and retail services and products, what are some of the food selections you offer to customers?
FIRAS: At the counter, we sell Latin-baked goods such as tequeños, croquetas, empanadas, and pastelitos — it is absolutely essential that we offer those in the Miami market. Recently, we also started selling snack-sized organic pizza, which seems to be a hit as well.
Q: Tell us a little more about the delicious Thai cuisine that’s available at this Grand Avenue location.
FIRAS: In 2013, we began subleasing the store’s kitchen to Asian Thai Kitchen. Having a full-functioning restaurant inside a convenience store was a novel concept when it opened in 2014. It’s been a hit though. The Miami New Times even selected it once as the city’s best Thai restaurant!
Q: What are some of the memorable interactions you’ve had with your neighboring business members in the Coconut Grove BID?
FIRAS: Running Grand 7th for nearly 30 years now, we’re so proud of how much our community has grown. It has been wonderful to watch how other long-established businesses including fellow BID businesses like The Last Carrot have evolved within the community while maintaining their individuality.
Q: Aside from running operating a successful business, what’s your passion?
FIRAS: I enjoy traveling quite a bit and learning about different cultures, especially through food. It’s also intriguing to see the way retail is set up in other countries. Aside from that, I’m passionate about my family and I can’t help but gush over my daughter’s many accomplishments. For her college application, she wrote an essay about her experience growing up at Grand 7th, which told of the love she has received from the Coconut Grove community over the year. In fact, in 2020, the O Miami Festival “Zip Odes” project showcased three of her works around the Grove including one of which ironically was placed right in front of the store. I couldn’t be prouder!
Open 24/7, Grand 7th is located at 3135 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For information, call 305-445-7533 or visit https://grand-7th-pharmacy-by-kwit-stop.business.site/.
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