Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Black Caviar For Black Friday at New Caviar Vending Machine
Photo courtesy of Beverly Hills Caviar
Giving the name Black Friday new meaning, Beverly Hills Caviar launched their caviar vending machine today, just in time for recession-proof holiday shopping swarm.
There are machines at Westfield malls in Topanga and Century City, as well as Burbank Towne Centre.
Kelly Scheiner, owner of Beverly Hills Caviar, says that the project has been in the works for three years. "We came up with the idea when the recession was hitting really hard. A company like ours in the luxury business had to figure out a way to survive," she says.
"I'm from the Stern family in New York, and we do jewelry and gold. They told me about a vending machine that put together a vending machine for gold and was very successful," she says. So Stern cobbled together equipment from Spain, Norway, and China, and brought it in to be assembled here in the States. The metal fabrication, coincidentally, was done by the same people who did the famous Sprinkles vending machine.
"It was extremely complicated because of the FDA and the health department," she says.
But it's since been approved, and is celebrating its official launch today on Black Friday. Though the high ticket items like $500/oz beluga caviar are the ones getting all the shock-factor attention, there are other items for sale in the machine at a more approachable price point.
"We have a lot of American caviars priced under $50, like white fish, salmon, and American black," says Scheiner. She also says that there is a surprising amount of twenty somethings buying their product from the machine. Each purchase over $30 comes with a complimentary metal spoon. The machine also offers blinis, gourmet salts, escargot, truffle salts, and gourmet oils.
Sponsored message
Sadly, there's no vodka or champagne to drink on the spot.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
