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Once terms like 
“unicorn” enter the 
conversation, what be­
gan as an innocent $1 
purchase can quickly 
turn into a mission.
Collectors can use 
the independent mini 
print vault to browse 
designs, track collec­
tions and investigate 
rarity. It’s a convenient 
way to discover that 
the print you almost 
gave your niece may, in 
fact, be a unicorn.
That two of New 
Jersey’s five machines 
are in Maplewood feels 
surprising, but also ex­
actly right.
At Words, the ma­
chine arrived thanks to 
a couple of collectors 
very close to store manager Lisa Ma­
talon: her daughters.
“My daughters have been follow­
ing Ana for years and collecting her 
prints,” Matalon says. “They sug­
gested I get a machine and I thought 
it would be a great addition to our 
store.”
Her customers apparently agree.
“Customers are surprised to see a 
vending machine and are excited to 
get a print,” Matalon says. “Kids love 
putting the tokens in the slots. We 
also have people who make special 
trips to our store to get a certain print 
that they need for their collection.”
Even one initially skeptical staff 
member has been won over.
“A senior staff member wasn’t sure 
why I wanted to have the machine,” 
Matalon says, “but he recently told 
me that he loves seeing the pure joy 
on customers’ faces.”
So the next time you visit Words 
Bookstore or Shopkeeper, bring four 
quarters. Turn the knob, embrace 
the mystery and see 
which 
miniature 
masterpiece Maple­
wood has waiting for 
you.
Just 
remember: 
one pull is art appre­
ciation.
Five pulls may be 
the beginning of a 
lifestyle. 
Adrianna Ahern Do­
nat writes for Mat­
ters Magazine and is 
a Realtor with Pol­
lock Properties Group, 
where unfortunately 
no homes have yet 
been found in vending 
machines.
This couple spent $4 to get four prints and were pleased 
that none were duplicates.
The Inciardi vending machine is next to the check-out 
counter at Words Bookstore.
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LeTip of SOMA is a local chapter of LeTip Interna-
tional. Members meet weekly to help advance their  
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Find out More!
Join Us for an  
Open House Breakfast.
October 29 at 8:30 a.m.
St. James’s Gate in Maplewood
R.S.V.P. 

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