7 Days Liquor Store

7 Days Liquor Store is a liquor and convenience store at 1700 Victory Boulevard in Glendale, California, close to the neighbouring city of Burbank. The shop occupies a small commercial building near the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Western Avenue, with a narrow parking area running along the storefront. Originally known as 7 Days Food Store, the business was operating under that name when the comedy Superbad (2007) was filmed there in 2006. The premises subsequently became known as 7 Days Liquor, selling beer, wine, spirits, snacks and other convenience-store products. Its exterior has retained much of the appearance seen in the film, including the glass-fronted entrance, shop windows and parking area. The building has become particularly associated with the character Fogell, better known as McLovin, whose disastrous attempt to purchase alcohol using a fake Hawaiian driver’s licence was filmed inside the store. A large reproduction of the fictional identification card has also been displayed in the shop window, acknowledging its connection to the film.

7 Days Liquor Store appears in Superbad (2007), the American coming-of-age comedy directed by Greg Mottola and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Renamed TJ’s Liquor for the production, the shop is the setting for Fogell’s attempt to purchase alcohol for a high-school party using his fake McLovin identification card. The transaction is interrupted by an armed robbery, bringing police officers Slater and Michaels into the story. The filmmakers also used the parking lot outside the shop for the scene in which Seth is struck by a passing car driven by Francis, who subsequently offers Seth and Evan a lift to another party. Both the store interior and the surrounding commercial property are clearly recognisable in the finished film.

In Superbad (2007), 7 Days Liquor Store appears when Seth, played by Jonah Hill, and Evan, played by Michael Cera, accompany their friend Fogell, played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, to purchase alcohol for a party organised by their classmate Jules. Fogell has obtained a fake Hawaiian driver’s licence identifying him simply as McLovin, but his friends are far from convinced that the ridiculous name will fool anyone. Before entering the shop, Fogell removes a vest he has been wearing to make himself appear older after Evan remarks that he looks like Aladdin. Seth and Evan give him their money and a list of drinks to purchase, although Fogell becomes increasingly nervous about attempting to buy so much alcohol. Eventually, he enters the store while his friends remain outside. After wandering uncertainly through the aisles, he approaches the counter with his selection and attempts to make casual conversation with the cashier, played by Erica Vittina Phillips. He enthusiastically claims to have been drinking a particular beer for years and mentions that its manufacturer has recently added more hops. His awkward attempt to sound like an experienced drinker prompts the cashier to request identification. Fogell produces his McLovin licence, which she examines before apparently accepting it. Just as the purchase seems likely to succeed, an armed robber enters the shop and punches Fogell in the face, knocking him unconscious before stealing money from the cash register.

Police officers Slater, played by Bill Hader, and Michaels, played by Seth Rogen, subsequently arrive to investigate the robbery. When Fogell regains consciousness, the officers question him about what happened and ask his age. He nervously answers that he is old enough to party, prompting them to examine his identification. Rather than arrest him, the officers appear amused by his unusual name and eventually offer to drive him to his destination. Meanwhile, Seth and Evan have temporarily left the storefront after becoming distracted by a female classmate walking her dog. When they return, they discover police cars outside the shop and see Fogell speaking with the officers. Having missed the robbery, they immediately assume that he has been caught attempting to purchase alcohol with his fake identification. The two panic, believing that their plans for the evening have collapsed.

The parking area outside the store is also used for the next incident involving Seth and Evan. As they argue about what to do, Seth is unexpectedly struck by a car driven by Francis, played by Joe Lo Truglio. Although Seth escapes serious injury, Francis is terrified that they will report him to the police officers standing nearby. Desperate to avoid trouble, he offers to take them to another party where they might be able to obtain alcohol. The two friends reluctantly accept, beginning a separate series of misadventures while Fogell accompanies the officers in their patrol car. The collision was filmed in the narrow parking lot directly in front of 7 Days Liquor Store, near a small locksmith kiosk. The storefront, adjoining businesses and parking area appear throughout the sequence, making the location one of the most extensively used commercial properties in Superbad. The shop has since become closely associated with the McLovin character, whose fake identification card remains one of the film’s most recognisable jokes.

Superbad (2007)

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