Knickknacks, gadgets, locally made art and even a pregnancy test are just some of the things you can find in the Pocket Box, a series of creative vending machines that have popped up around Bellingham in the past year.
The vending machines are inspired by a growing “creative vending” movement, said Pocket Box founder Kari Graczyk. The idea is already popular in cities such as Austin, Texas and Portland, Oregon.
Graczyk opened her first creative vending machine in May 2022, inside Grand Avenue Ale House. Since then, two more Pocket Boxes have joined downtown Bellingham — one in Rumors Cabaret, and another in Black Sheep.
The vending machines are stocked with goodies that Graczyk sources from local businesses and artists, as well as from her own thrift shop treasure hunts. The majority of items are priced between $5 to $20.
Each location has a unique selection — Black Sheep’s machine, for example, includes local artist Bridget Dahlman-Oeth’s collectible, themed art boxes made from repurposed Altoid tins that go for $10.
“My favorite thing is going back to a venue and just watching people engage [with the vending machine],” Graczyk said. “It’s exciting obviously when they purchase something, but just the pointing and giggles and excitement is just so great.”
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