OXXO

There is a joke here in Mexico.
What color does the moon reflect in the USA?
Green, because there are so many Starbucks.

Translation: "Make all your stops at just one place and enjoy your day!"
This is an ad with all of Oxxo's services. 

What color does the moon reflect in Mexico?
Red, because there are so many Oxxos.

I remember the first time I saw Oxxo. I was on my outreach in Guadalajara. I called it O-X-X-O, spelling each letter. (It is pronounced oh-x-oh) To me it was just like any other convenience store, a Mexican 7/11 of sorts. But little did I know the true importance of those little red and yellow signs dotting the dusty Mexican hills.

According to Wikipedia, there are over 13,000 Oxxo stores in Mexico. (Just if you are curious there are over 11,000 Starbucks all over the U.S.) There are literally hundreds of Oxxos all over this area and every area I have been to in Mexico. Here in Mexico the gasoline is privatized by the government so pretty much the only gas stations you see are called Pemex. I thought the convenience stores might have been privatized too, given there so many Oxxos.
Now, walking into Oxxo you notice it is just like any other convenience store, of course there are big ones and small ones, there even Super Oxxos that sell more grocery type items (they are rare). They have the hot dogs rotating on a spit, dripping in grease. A whole wall of refrigeration for beverages. Cookies, chips, toilet paper, dish soap, cheese, milk, eggs, a small area with tomatoes, avocados, onions, chilis....remember we are in Mexico, the produce differs a bit in comparison to the U.S.
However, here in Mexico Oxxo serves you in a different way than any other convenience store. I didn't realize this till I signed rental papers with my roommates and began having water, electricity, and gas bills. We learned you can take your water and electricity bill to Oxxo! How helpful is that? We love it. I also refill my phone with minutes at Oxxo whenever I run out.
It gets better! At Oxxo you can buy bus tickets, send money to a far away relative in Mexico City, you can even get a Oxxo debit card! Around here, Oxxo has pretty much all you need. Most are open 24 hours 7 days a week too.
In the future, Oxxo wants to begin to offer even more services. We aren't sure if it will happen but they want to begin to provide marriage certification, divorce papers, funeral services, etc. Around here it is a bit of a joke because we already know how many services our Oxxos provide and providing government issued paperwork seems extreme. But hey if you want to get married, pay your electricity and eat a roll of yummy Emperador lime cookies, go ahead be my guest.

Andatti coffee is a well known coffee here in Mexico and can only be found in our beloved Oxxo.
Whether you want regular blend or a concoction of sugar, cream and flavor Andatti cafe has what you want!  

Translation: "You could lack love in your life but you will never lack an Oxxo on the corner."