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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

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Only in LA: new caviar vending machines (for pets, too)

Beverly Hills Caviar has installed three caviar vending machines at Southern California malls over the past week with fare ranging from $5 to $500 a piece.
Beverly Hills Caviar recently installed three caviar vending machines at Southern California malls. The offerings range from $5 to $500 each.
(
Courtesy of Beverly Hills Caviar
)

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Only in LA: new caviar vending machines (for pets, too)

Cash. Car culture. Caviar in a vending machine.

In three, actually. Beverly Hills Caviar has installed them at shopping centers in Century City, Canoga Park and Burbank. 

Owner Kelly Stern said the machines carry caviar of all kinds, along with escargot and truffles.

“Some of the people that are very experienced with caviar like Russians, Romanians, Persians…they are still digesting it, but the American crowd – they love it,” she said. “Most of the people who purchase are very young – under the age of 30 – and they just really like it and they say they want to support it."

Stern said the one of the most popular items so far has been “pet caviar.”

“It has a little dog and a little cat on it. They have their own little labels with caviar," Stern said. "Our dog, Cocoa – I have a cavalier Spaniel – and he loves caviar. That’s how we got the idea.”

Stern said the items in the machines cost from $5 for a mother-of-pearl caviar spoon to $500 for the really good stuff, Imperial River Beluga. 

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She said her 4-year-old daughter gave her the idea for the caviar vending machines after she saw a cupcake vending machine.

“She’s the only one who would come up with something like that, we would never think it, Stern said.

Stern said it’s not a problem keeping the caviar fresh in the machines because most of the products have a six-month shelf life.

You can find the machines at the Westfield Topanga Mall, the Westfield Century City Mall and the Burbank Town Center.

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