Looking for some refreshment riding down Route 66 this summer? Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma, is a gas station that is hard to miss, with a 66-foot tall neon soda bottle and straw outside the store acting as a beacon for thirsty travelers. Established in 2007, Pops is a futuristic take on a classic roadside attraction, featuring angular steel and glass, and inside, there’s a huge wall of soda bottles that are arranged not by flavor or brand but by color. The convenience store features more than 700 different types of soda, sparkling waters and other cold refreshments—something for everyone.
Crime Cover Up
One convenience store in Canada is encouraging its customers to use reusable shopping bags through … embarrassment? East West Market has begun giving customers single-use bags with potentially shaming slogans, such as “Dr. Toews’ Wart Ointment Wholesale” and “Into the Weird Adult Video Emporium.” The business wrote on Facebook that it’s tough to always remember a reusable bag, so they redesigned its plastic bags to get patrons to pay attention. Although the edgy plastic bags may sway some folks, other shoppers think they’re hilarious and can’t wait to use them. “Total backfire, I would 100% not use reusable bags, just to see which awesome bag I get next,” said one Facebook commenter.
You’re Pun-ny
Sometimes all you need is an amusing word of encouragement to get you through your commute. A gas station in Wallingford, Washington, is giving passersby just that. In October 2005, the ExtraMile convenience store was converted from an auto repair shop, and since service promotions and store specials were no longer necessary, the sign needed a new purpose. The owners decided to use the sign to share a joke or a witty observation, and it’s been a hit with locals and out-of-towners alike. The snarky sign is updated weekly with such sayings as, “Becoming a vegetarian is a big missed steak,” or “Dear naps, I’m sorry I was a jerk to you as a kid.” The sign even has its own social media channels, where folks can keep up with its latest antics.