{"id":272287,"date":"2026-08-26T02:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/272287\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T02:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:40:09","slug":"questions-speculation-swirl-around-pittsburghs-iconic-star-wars-vending-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/272287\/","title":{"rendered":"Questions, speculation swirl around Pittsburgh\u2019s iconic \u2018Star Wars\u2019 vending machine"},"content":{"rendered":"

PITTSBURGH \u2014 A beloved Star Wars vending machine in Pittsburgh is drawing a lot of questions. <\/p>\n

A \u201cStar Wars: The Phantom Menace\u201d promotional vending machine has sat outside the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Station 27 for decades, becoming a hidden gem and tourist attraction.<\/p>\n

According to Visit Pittsburgh,<\/a> it has been there since 1999 and contained the original promotional graphics, up until now. On Tuesday, the machine appeared to be painted over or altered!<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a local landmark not just for the locals around here, but for my friend group,\u201d Adam Hames, of Millvale, said. \u201cIt being so strange, it attracted us, and we\u2019d make it a pilgrimage to go and visit the site that means so much to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

After hearing that something was off about the machine, Hames stopped by to check it out. He is skeptical whether or not the machine standing in the current spot is the original.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe original here only had nine buttons, as opposed to the ten here. The change interface is different compared to the original, and the change for the quarters on the original is on the left side, as opposed to the right side,\u201d Hames said.<\/p>\n

A photo shared by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire supports those claims.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Star Wars Vending Machine Pittsburgh Star Wars Vending Machine (Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire\/Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire)<\/p>\n

In 2022, Pepsi donated $10,000 and a year\u2019s worth of beverages to help firefighters keep the machine running, maintained and stocked.<\/p>\n

Channel 11 has reached out to Pittsburgh officials to try to learn about the machine\u2019s sudden change in appearance. We are still waiting to hear back.<\/p>\n

Channel 11 will share more updates as more information is made available. Check back for more updates.<\/p>\n

Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n

TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n

\u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n