The vending machine is called Beverly Hills Caviar. However, the first one has just been set up in the modest bedroom town of Burbank, about 20 miles and billions of dollars away from the other snooty and grossly wealthy Southern California city.

It’s a digital touch-screen vending machine now in operation on the second floor of the Burbank Towne Shopping Mall at 201 E. Magnolia Blvd. For a high price, you can choose from what the company calls “a large selection of the world’s finest caviar, truffles, escargot, bottarga, blinis, oils, Mother of Pearl plates and spoons, gift boxes and gourmet salts.”

If you happen to be visiting Burbank and in the mall there, take a look at the example of excess that few people can afford these days. According to price listings, the items can each cost anywhere from under $50 up to $500. 

Public dispensing machines have come a long way. How many of us can still remember the penny chewing gum and tiny Hershey bar machines? Back in the 1930s and 1940s, they were on el and subway platforms in Philly, New York, Chicago, Boston and elsewhere.