Vending

Historic 'Star Wars' vending machine disappears, homemade version takes its place

Willrow Hood - stock.adobe.com

September 1, 2026

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A vintage "Star Wars"-themed vending machine that became an unusual neighborhood landmark in Pittsburgh has disappeared, leaving behind what appears to be a homemade replacement, according to a WTAE report. The original machine, decorated to promote the 1999 film "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," had stood next to a fire department in the city's Mount Washington neighborhood.

The fire department owns the missing machine and used proceeds from its vending sales to benefit the firehouse. Its disappearance has attracted attention because of its distinctive "Star Wars" graphics and its status as a quirky piece of local memorabilia. Residents said they hope the machine's removal is a prank and that whoever took it will eventually return it.

In its place is a homemade version that attempts to replicate the appearance of the original. Content creator Bill Bara described the replacement as resembling a homemade art project, noting another significant change: The original machine dispensed Pepsi products, while its replacement carries Coca-Cola. For now, the whereabouts of the original "Phantom Menace" machine remain unknown.