Pittsburgh's Vendor Bender Offers International Array Of Snacks

PITTSBURGH, PA — Bags of Zero Brand Onion Rings from Bangladesh typically aren’t found in vending machines that aren’t located in, well, Bangladesh.

But that’s just one of the international offerings available in Pittsburgh since the recent opening of Vendor Bender in Squirrel Hill. Occupying a space that formerly housed a mobile phone business, the small store consists of about a dozen vending machines dispensing snacks and soft drinks from around the globe.

Among the items to be found during a recent Patch visit to Vendor Bender were Arare Sweey Chili Rice Snacks from China; Ginger Lemon Haribo Gummies from Germany; Mast Masala Roasted Fox Nuts from India; Chocolate Honey Comb Medenki Cookies from Bulgara – all of which can be washed down with a bottle of Fruity Melon Mineral Water from Turkey.

Vendor Bender is the brainchild of Derek Green, 39, a Squirrel Hills resident whose day job is flipping houses. He was looking for a side venture and initially thought of opening a traditional convenience store in the neighborhood.

“But I had sort of discovered the concept of vending machines through Japanese culture. Vending machines are pretty big there, more so than in America,” said Green, whose sister-in-law is Japanese. “I gradually came around to the idea of selling international snack foods and drinks out of vending machines.”

He thought that if such a venture could be successful anywhere in the city, it would be in Squirrel Hill.

“It has become an incredibly diverse community,” he said. “There are tons of immigrants and students from all over Asia, there’s a large Jewish community, a good number of Russians. It’s quite a melting pot.”

In case you were wondering where Green gets his global offerings, no, he doesn’t make regular trips to Bangladesh, Germany or Turkey.

“I work with about 10 different importers from all throughout the country,” he said. “I also make trips occasionally to places like Chicago or Cincinnati and fill up a truck of different drinks and snacks that I can find there.”

Vendor Bender is open 24 hours a day and its machines accept both cash and currency, making it easy for anyone with a case of midnight munchies to satisfy their snack cravings.

“We also change our inventory from week to week,” Green said. “We want people to find new things to sample when they come in.”

In other words, if you’re craving those Mast Masala Roasted Fox Nuts from India - don’t delay.