FAQ
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Creative vending is a novel concept, but one we’ve put our own spin on. We buy retro vending machines, upgrade all the electronics, install a card reader, and finish off with a custom paint job! Then, once the machine is good to go, we install it in a high-traffic spot (like a bar or brewery) — and that’s where the “creative” part comes in.
The inventory inside each vending machine is a little nontraditional. A typical Loot Drop machine might hold pins, patches, stickers, socks, suncatchers, art prints, tabletop games, and so much more! We customize each machine just a little bit to suit the vibe of the venue. But one thing we can guarantee is that you’ll find work from local artists in each and every Loot Drop.
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Absolutely nothing! Loot Drop is a free service to venues. Our mission is to make art more accessible by placing it in everyday spaces, such as bars, restaurants, breweries, and coffeeshops.
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The products we carry add to the fun customers have in your venue, giving them more to explore while they hang out at your space. Our art vending machines are great in coffeeshops, bars, restaurants, civic spaces- anywhere there are a lot of people having fun! After placing a machine, our team handles all restocking and maintenance duties and promote all of our locations to drive more creative vending machine fans to your location!
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We begin by scheduling a visit to your venue! We’ll decide on a location for the vending machine, and do quick check of the area around your venue so we can plan on a smooth install.
Then our in-house designer, Bunny, will work on developing a design for your custom art ve dingmachine. From design to machine installation usually takes around 6-8 weeks. On installation day, we’ll arrive in the morning, ideally before your venue even opens. It takes us a few hours to get the machine installed in place, fully stocked, and programmed. Once installed, the machine is good to go!
From then on, we come around once a week to restock the machine, usually swapping in one or two new items to keep the inventory fresh. If there’s ever an error with the machine, we handle all maintenance ourselves!
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Currently, Loot Drop installs and maintains vending machines in three cities; Boone, Asheville, and Charlotte NC! We live and work in these areas, and we’re deeply connected to our local artist community. It just makes sense for us to stay in WNC! That being said, we are exploring options for venues who are interested in obtaining a machine, but are slightly out of our operating radius. Whether you’re a retail space, a nonprofit, or a restaurant, we’d love to talk to you about how we could bring our creative machines to your area!
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Great question! Shoot us an email through our “contact us” page to get started, or send a direct message over social media. We’d love to work with you on a custom art vending machine!
Curio & the built environment.
We are blessed to be a part of some legendary venues. From famous breweries to historic buildings, to spots that have been cemented as part of the local legend. It’s an honor to customize a machine for a venue, and we take that responsibility to heart.
Our design philosophy rests on the understanding that the Curio Machine will become part of the “built environment” of the venue. When we create a machine, we do so with the intention of becoming a permanent addition to the space. With that in mind, we take special care with each and every design to make sure our machines belong!
What’s inside the machine?
There’s a mix of stuff, and each machine is just a little different! About a third of the items are what we consider our “best sellers” —our tried and true items that don’t tend to change very much. Sometimes, we feature items designed by other creative vending companies.
And of course, you’ll find lots of local art! We mark each “local art” item with a pink star, so you can easily tell them apart from the rest.
