Fans of “The Simpsons” can now now enjoy all the Lard Lad Donuts at the world’s first permanent real-life Kwik-E-Mart store. The convenience store has opened in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and other items for purchase include memorabilia associated with siblings Lisa, Bart and Maggie Simpson, their parents, Homer and Marge, and the rest of the globally known characters from the town of Springfield.
Shoppers can also get their hands on other food items from the show such as Flaming Moe energy drinks, heat-lamp dogs and a variety of Squishee slushy drinks.
In the long-running animated series, Apu, who is of Indian descent, is the owner of the shop. Although “The Simpsons” has been criticized for the stereotypical characterization as well as Apu’s accent provided by actor Hank Azaria, the character is painted on a wall inside the store saying “Thank you, come again!”
Painted on the outside of the shop are fan-favorite characters, like Police Chief Wiggum and Bart Simpson’s bullies, Nelson Muntz and Jimbo Jones.
“Broadway at the Beach is like no other location. It really draws a lot of foot traffic, walking around, and I think it’s the perfect sort of first place. I think the Simpsons would come to Myrtle Beach for a vacation,” said Mark Cornell, Senior VP, Attractions Development for SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment.
Cornell also added that the first family to walk through the Kwik-E-Mart’s doors was reflective of The Simpsons’ continued pop culture prominence as the longest-running primetime scripted series on TV. They were three generations of a family, all arguing playfully about who was the bigger “Simpsons” fan.
The store is next door to the Aztec Theater — also a recreation from the show —which will host a Simpsons 4D experience, set to open later this year.
check out the videos above for more on the real-life Kwik-E-Mart and ‘The Simpsons.’
By: Maytinee Kramer
