WHO NEEDS THE KWIK-E MART?

Apparently, we all need the Kwik-E Mart. (Remember the musical episode of the Simpsons, where Apu sang about losing his job? NO? Then the title of this post is a total waste!) Several 7-11 quick marts have been converted into Kwik-E Marts, the famous store from the long-running Simpsons TV show. (Its been on the air for almost 2 decades now.) The Kwik-E Mart had always been a satirical nod at 7-11 and its products, not to mention its proprietor, Apu. To promote the new full-length feature film, The Simpsons Movie, 7-11 gave a handful of its stores a make-over, including cut-outs of the characters and a selection of Simpson products.

The stores, including a Burbank, California location, saw an explosive increase in store sales since this promotion began, over the weekend. According to the Los Angeles Daily Times, single-store sales increased as much as 300%. For the rest of us, local 7-11s will care similar products all month. You can go to your local 7-11 to order Squishees, just like Bart, Homer and Lisa would.

Other products featured in the cartoon show will also be available, including Buzz Cola, and Krusty-O's (Bart and Lisa's favorite breakfast cereal). 7-11 will continue to promote the movie in all of its stores, but the special merchandise will only be available at select locations, so hurry up and get yours.

In other Simpsons-related news, Fox (the studio releasing the movie) is having a contest to see which Springfield city will host the movie's big release. The actual location of the Simpsons' home town remains a well-guarded secret. But Mayor Joe Quimby, uh, I mean Sen. Kennedy (who I think Joe Quimby is based on) has declared the city to be in Massachusetts, thus claiming the right for his home state to host the premier.