Iconic Structures from Around the World…

…and the convenience retail landscapes that thrive around them.

The SSCS Blog has been globetrotting lately.

Two weeks ago, we took readers to the most breathtaking (and historic) concert venues on the face of the earth.

Last week, we went on a tour of the globe’s most picturesque bridges.

This week, to bring this short informal series to a close, we’re taking a look at other kinds of iconic structures. There’s more variety than we thought! What follows is a representative sample. And as always, we add a little convenience retailing into the mix when we can.

First Steps

The Ancient World (Various)

Buildings are usually considered structures that people work or live or play in, but the definition has been more fluid since the very beginning. The Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq, over 4,000 years old, is often referenced as the world’s oldest “building,” though it was more like a civic center and a temple.

The Great Pyramid of Giza was built a few hundred years before the ziggurat. But unlike that remote area in Iraq, the tomb of pharaoh Khufu sides up right against the urban bustle of Cairo. Retail convenience is well-represented. There’s a Carrefour c-store nearby—a rather large chain in Egypt—in addition to a Circle K and an On the Run not much further away.

In Loving Memory of a Name

The Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

The Taj Mahal may seem ancient, but it only dates to 1632. It’s a grand symbol of love that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan fashioned to house the tomb of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This grand mausoleum is largely made out of white marble, reflecting the light and changing colors throughout the day. Situated in the middle of an urban area with a thriving retail scene, we located a few of these Kumar Daily Need stores doing convenience in the area.

Under Continual Construction

The Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain)

The Sagrada Familia, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, is intended to blend nature with a sacred space. It began construction in 1882 and continues to this day, the result of its complexity and ambitious vision. It’s a blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles with intricate facades and towering spires. The church’s interior boasts a forest-like canopy of columns, allowing natural light to filter through colorful stained glass. It’s in Barcelona, so there’s plenty of retail around, but the friendly mascot of La Republicabananera caught our eye.

Monument to a City

Coit Tower (San Francisco, California)

When Coit Tower was built on top of San Francisco’s Telegraph Hill in 1933, it was at the height of Art Deco’s popularity as a style. Funded by Lille Hitchcock Coit as a monument to The City, its greatest attraction may be the murals inside depicting, “Life in California,” painted as part of a Depression Era-public works project by 24 artists. Visitors can walk a few flights down away from the tower on the outside stairs, and snag something to refresh them at Napoli Market in a neighborhood with a distinctly Italian flavor called North Beach.

The Blob

Kunsthaus Graz (Graz, Austria)

An example of a structure that takes full advantage of modern materials and technology, the Kunsthaus Graz is a contemporary art museum in a distinctive “blob” shape, illuminated by LED lights at night which can self-arrange into images and animations viewable from the street. It showcases contemporary art exhibitions, including installations, multimedia works, and performances from established and emerging artists. Visitors can fuel up and get snacks at the nearby DESPAR Express (SPAR grocery store’s convenience store brand).

22ND Century Luxury

The Marina Bay Sands Resort (Singapore).

Marina Bay Sands is really a self-contained resort complex that has everything for visitors and guests, including a design that would be at home in a futuristic science fiction novel. It features the world’s largest rooftop pool, the aptly-named Infinity Pool, and a SkyPark that spreads out across 1.2 hectares. If you stay here, you’ll probably never need to leave, but we can tell you that the vast retail complex attached has any number of convenience retailing options.

Iconic structures come in all shapes and sizes. So do iconic c-stores, although the latter share one important characteristic: the use of reliable, high-functioning back office software, like SSCS’s Computerized Daily Book. Whether you are a single gas station owner, or an operator that’s part of a wide-ranging franchise, our software can adapt to your needs, positioning you for a long successful run. We’ll be more than glad to answer any questions you may have at (800) 972-7727. Give us a call, and we’ll help your store become a monument to success!