WASHINGTON – Another cultural icon is rapidly disappearing from the American landscape — the vending machine.
According to The Wall Street Journal at least 130,000 vending machine locations have disappeared between 2007 and 2010.
Some entrepreneurs are taking the opportunity to upgrade existing machines with touchscreens and other high-tech gizmos. They’re also stocking the machines with new offerings as a way to lure new customers.
Minnesota-based InstyMeds has installed at least 200 machines in 24 states and has dispensed more than 1.5 million prescriptions since 2007. The machines electronically link to a doctor’s computer system.
Another trend is refurbishing old cigarette machines into Art-o-mats, where customers can buy small pieces of artwork for $5.
WTOP’s David Burd contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
