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Thank You, Come Again: 7-11 becomes Kwik-E-Mart

by Jordan Yerman | July 2, 2007 at 11:23 am

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One of the most ambitious movie promos I've heard of to date. The change isn't permanent, but it's worth pointing out that, when an Australian friend visited me in New York a few years ago, she asked if we could "stop by the Kwik-E-Mart" to get some gum. The Kwik-E-Mart, like the rest of the Simpsons universe, has become a defining element of American culture. As one would expect (and hope), this Kwik-E-Konversion has been well-documented online, and we're privileged to have so many netizens sharing their photos of Apu's humble convenience store.

Personally, I am not really that excited for the film, but I'm fascinated to see the Simpsons world leak into our three-dimensional realm.

Over the weekend, 7-Eleven Inc. turned a dozen stores into Kwik-E-Marts, the fictional convenience stores of "The Simpsons" fame, in the latest example of marketers making life imitate art.

Those stores and most of the 6,000-plus other 7-Elevens in North America will sell items that until now existed only on television: Buzz Cola, KrustyO's cereal and Squishees, the slushy drink knockoff of Slurpees.

Also, the junk-food tie-in is appropriate in this case, considering the Simpsons' patriarch, Homer, is depicted as lazy and obese.

(Disclosure: I am a fan of The Simpsons, ever since they were part of The Tracey Ullman Show as anthropomorphic versions of the Life in Hell rabbits)

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Jennifer Novak

at 11:28 on July 2nd, 2007

I saw one of these stores on the news this morning. I went to work and asked, "Where is Bladensburg, MD?" because I wanted to see that store! I am a huge Simpsons fan, and also watched from the beginning. I can't wait to have Krusty O's and a nice Squishee made entirely out of syrup for breakfast!