Here’s something you don’t see every day — a cupcake vending machine. It was installed Wednesday on the sidewalk in front of the Sweetz Bakery in Leesburg.
Apparently, Sweetz has a lot of customers with cravings that can’t always be met during regular business hours. So they came up with the vending machine as a way to serve guests 24/7.
The machine is stocked with a variety of flavors, including a Boston Creme cupcake, a Vanilla Sprinkles cupcake, and a Red Velvet cupcake.
There are 15 different types in all, including vegan and gluten-free options.
You make your selection, tap or swipe your credit card, and then the action starts. The lid on the cooler opens, a vacuum hose descends and sucks your cupcake up.
The cupcake moves into position and the hose lowers it and deposits it in the vending drawer where you reach in and claim it. We’ve posted a video of part of the process below.
Prices on the cupcakes range from $4.87 to $5.92 — oddly specific amounts, but who cares when you’re jonesing for a cupcake.
Sweet Bakeryz is located in the Battlefield Shopping Center on Edwards Ferry Road NE, near the intersection with the Leesburg Bypass. That’s the same center with the Dick’s Sporting Goods, a Five Guys and a Chipotle.