Do you still need supplies for tomorrow’s big picnic. Not to worry. I know just the place to go … To the Kwik-E-Mart !
Photo by Max Power
What’s that you say? That’s just a fictitious convenience store from “The Simpsons” TV series. Not anymore, pal. As part of the promotion for “The Simpsons Movie” (Which opens at a theater near you on July 27th), the folks at 20th Century Fox persuaded the 7-11 Corporation to change 11 of its stores into cartoonish clones of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon’s establishment.
The 11 stores that were selected (Which are located in Burbank, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C.) shut down late Friday night and — over the next 48 hours — were converted into a shop that should seem very familiar to fans of the long-running Fox sitcom.
The end result opened for business at 6 a.m. yesterday. And you have to admit that the final effect is kind of uncanny. The cartoon world made real.
Photo by Max Power
The attention to detail here (At least at the Burbank store) is really amazing. Take — for example — the graffiti on the side of the building.
Photo by Max Power
Or — for that matter — the Apu-approved parking sign that’s located right outside of the store’s entrance.
Photo by Max Power
Yes, this is clearly a place that the cast of “The Simpsons” would find familiar. Why, here comes Comic Book Guy now …
Photo by Max Power
… Who’s probably looking to pick up a few extra boxes of “KrustyO’s” …
Photo by Max Power
… so that he can then post them on eBay. (Seriously, folks. Most of these rethemed 7-11s actually sold out of “KrustyO’s” and “Buzz Cola” early yesterday morning. With lots of this “Simpsons” -specific stuff then being posted on various online auction sites with ridiculously marked-up prices. Sadly, what these speculators failed to realize is that much of this same merchandise is also on sale in the 6000-plus other stores in this retail chain. As Homer might say: “Doh !” )
Anyway … In spite of the early runs on cereal & soda, visitors to the store were still able to purchase Squishees …
Photo by Max Power
… or settle for the self-serve version of “Buzz Cola.” Rather than take home the souvenir six pack.
And — yes — that is Maggie Simpson crawling across the top of the “Buzz Cola” machine.
Photo by Max Power
You’ll actually find quite a few of your favorite “Simpsons” characters lounging around at Kwik-E-Mart. Here, Chief Wiggums & his son Ralphie have dropped by for a snack
Photo by Max Power
And as for Jasper (i.e. Abraham Simpson’s best friend from the Springfield Retirement Castle) … Well, maybe he shouldn’t have spent so much time trying to decide which icy treat he wanted.
Photo by Max Power
That’s the real charm of these 7-11 / Kwik-E-Mart redos. Wherever you look in the store, you’re going to find all of these sly nods to various episodes of this long-running series.
Photo by Max Power
Whether it’s signs that invite you down to the local tavern where you can have a “Flaming Moe” …
Photo by Max Power
… Or just a copy of the Springfield town seal. Where Jebediah Springfield reminds us that “A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man” … Whatever the hell that means.
Photo by Max Power
The only thing that you won’t find at the Kwik-E-Mart is Apu himself. Though there are plenty of signs in the store that reflect his continually-put-upon attitude.
Photo by Max Power
So if you’re looking for a fun way to spend the extended Fourth of July holiday, why not get in the car and head out to your local (Or not-so-local, as the case may be) Kwik-E-Mart. And have a Squishee on me.
Photo by Max Power
Special thanks to Max Power. Who braved the wilds of not-so-beautiful downtown Burbank (Not to mention the ridiculously long line that wrapped itself around this 7-11, as dozens of “Simpsons” fans eagerly awaited their chance to experience this Kwik-E-Mart clone) yesterday in order to get all of the photos featured in today’s article.