Kwik-E-Mart

D’Oh! I am so, so late in writing/​posting a review on this cool, cool extravaganza. We checked out the Kwik E Mart the second week of July, I think.
The 3D «cutouts» of Ralph, Marge, Homer, Apu and the rest were awesome. Bart and Millhouse on the roof? Classic.
We were so bummed that they had SOLD OUT of Krusty-O’s. I picked up SIX 6-​packs of Buzz cola (anyone want some???). The RadioActive Man Comic? Also sold out. The «collector’s cup» = sold out. The Simpsons Squishy straws? SOLD OUT. I did find these items at a non Kwik E Mart «7 – 11.»
The Woo Hoo Blue Vanilla Squishy was oddly addiciting. Mmmmm. Squishy. Check out my photos from our experience. My fave is the kiddo holding on to a can of Buzz cola for dear life.

I am such a geek about my trade so I had to come see this Kwik E Mart campaign. I’ve seen every Simpsons episode the first few years but I haven’t seen a full episode in a few years I’ll admit. We went en route to Annapolis so it worked out well.
They did a great job with the front of the store and we were so dorky, posing with Marge. Inside they had squishees, Krusty O’s, Buzz cola and forbidden donuts on sale. I of course had to buy a squishee, a box of Krusty O’s and a six pack of Buzz cola. They had different life size plastic replicas of some of the characters so of course each of us took pictures.
It was all in silly fun and I’m very glad we went.

I’m not exactly a diehard fan of The Simpsons (my heart does have a spot for Lisa Simpson*, however), not by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love a great marketing campaign. And the transformation of 7-​Eleven stores into Kwik-E-Mart’s to promote The Simpsons movie is nothing if not a well-​executed marketing campaign!
On Saturday, I packed th ‘vo up with passengers and we headed for Bladensburg, Maryland (the nearest Kwik-​E-​Mart to Washington, D.C.) The parking lot was teeming with camera-​toting Matt Groening fans. Some even seemed to have appeared in costume. Then again, maybe they look like that every day?
We simply couldn’t resist the lure of KrustyO’s, blue woohoo vanilla Squishees and pink donuts. We had to buy them all!
Hankering for some kitschy fun? Get to Bladensburg before July’s up!
*

*** Kwik-​E-​Mart Review ***
For the month of July, twelve 7-​Eleven stores around the country have been converted into Kwik-​E-​Marts to promote the upcoming Simpsons Movie. Never one to turn down a road-​trip, Miriam and Eric offered to drive us up for the opportunity to witness one on our very own door-​step… Well, it would need to be a pretty big door-​step, as this 7-​Eleven is really out of the way for such a big promotion.
The front of the store was decked out just as the Apu’s workplace is in the TV Show — very cool. There were ‘life-​size’ figures of all of the main Simpsons characters outside and inside the store, and funny Simpsons-​related signs posted everywhere.
All 7-​Elevens are stocking a few special Simpsons food-​stuffs during this promotion; there were stacks of Buzz Cola cans, Krusty-​O cereals, pink donuts with sprinkles, and of course, Squishees (Blue Woo-​Hoo Vanilla flavor only — no chutney flavor, very disappointing!)
The place was very busy, everyone wandering the store taking pictures, stocking up on their Krusty-​Os, and generally confusing a number of the locals who didn’t seem quite sure what was going on.
I must admit, the staff were very friendly and patient despite us Simpson-​freaks getting way too excited about it all, and even finished the transaction with a typical Apu «Please Come Again…:» and a smile.
Part of me thought it would make a lot more sense for such a promotion to be done at one of the DC stores, but I’m sure there were logistical concerns that may have prevented that from happening.
All-​in-​all, a professionally executed marketing ploy, with staff who understand the craziness that such a thing will bring, and a successful ‘road-​trip’ to get there.
As an aside, as I guess I should review the 7-​Eleven itself — typically stocked convenience store, very friendly staff — if you live in the area, just what you need from your local 7-​Eleven… If you don’t live in the area, go to one near you instead, otherwise it loses the ‘convenience’ part of its name!!!
(Check out the photos…)

I couldn’t wait any longer! I had to go! Yes, right now the 7 – 11 in Bladensburg is dolled-​up like a Kwik-​E-​Mart from The Simpsons. Once I roped a car-​operating friend into taking the road-​trip (and it wasn’t hard) we got there in under 15 minutes. It was worth it, as I was giggling my face off for the first five minutes in there. It’s a bit cheesy, no doubt. The signs are goofy and the clerk seriously said «Thank you, come again» to every customer. I mean c’mon, aren’t you forcing it a bit? And once the 7 – 11 sign was lit up it showed through the Kwik-​E-​Mart sign.
So yeah, it’s nothing particularly spectacular, but if you’re a Simpsons fan, you’re gonna wanna go just for the photo ops and Buzz Cola. It really is a fun excuse to go for a Squishee.