"Star Wars" vending machine returned to Mt. Washington
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Pittsburgh's beloved "Star Wars" vending machine was returned to its Mt. Washington perch and balance was restored to the force.
Why it matters: The "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" Pepsi machine of viral fame was taken across the country for repairs in a social media influencer stunt.
- Locals were wondering if it would ever come home.
The latest: The vending machine is back outside Pittsburgh Firehouse 27 at 96 Virginia Ave. and is doling out pops, according to a Tuesday post by Pittsburgh Public Safety.
Context: In August, Los Angeles-based content creator Braeden Days swapped out the original vending machine for an artistic rendition, said he was repairing the original, and made several fictitious videos about how he was "stealing" it.
Friction point: The stunt angered a lot of Pittsburghers, who said it ruined the spirit of the machine: feeling locked in time and representative of the region's reluctance to change.
Zoom in: The returned vending machine now has a "Jar Jar Juice" option in reference to the polarizing character Jar Jar Binks, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety.
The bottom line: Unlike the never-ending content of the sci-fi franchise, this saga is finally over.