Back in the day, finding even Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in Western Australia was like striking the food version of gold. Nowadays fans of US eats have no need to worry; 50States American Foodmart in Perth has got your red, white and blue grocery needs – and wants – covered.
Owned and operated by self-proclaimed lover of American food Ken Cave, the store carries everyday foods/grocery items as well as treats, although Cave points out, “Treats will always sell more. America makes the best junk food in the world, and there’s just so many to choose from.”
For starters, the place is well stocked with the prerequisite classics that many would recognise from film and television product placement over the years: Dr. Pepper, Twinkies, Twizzlers, Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kool-Aid, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Hot sauce fans are also in luck. “Whatever kind of chili or heat range you’re in the mood for, there should be a sauce in store available for you. We have a wide range of sauces, from the common jalapeno or habanero sauce, to the more exotic leaders of the Scoville scale: ghost pepper, and moruga scorpion sauces.”
Pumpkin pie filling and creole seasoning are just some of the random products in the mix, invaluable when creating (and hopefully mastering) elusive American flavours in your cooking. Those lacking kitchen skills will probably prefer the instant, and easy, options: a bowl of Lucky Charms for cereal lovers, or some mac ’n cheese like Kraft’s Original Velveeta Shells and Cheese for instant pasta fans, the tip of the not-really-cooking iceberg.
Moving onto beverages, a soda aficionado (sodaficionado?) should consider stopping in to peruse Cave’s selection. “Nothing beats an ice cold Dr. Pepper in my opinion,” says Cave. “It also sells the most out of all the sodas in store. There’s a few of them now too.” 50States recently introduced the Shaq Soda range by Arizona, and soon to be available is the Sioux City Soda range, Virgil’s Soda range, and Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer.
Can’t find what you’re looking for on the shelves? Don’t freak out; just ask for help. Ken emphasises he’ll try very hard to get in the product you’re chasing. “Most of the items in the store now have all been requested by customers at some point.” Cave’s favourite product is Snapple. “I could drink that every day.”
Serious question: How is it so many of us had no idea Reese’s make a Peanut Butter Chocolate Spread? And what other products seem to come as a shock to customers?
“It’s a new product! Also, maybe because it sounds a little too good to be true? Did you know Reese’s also make giant chocolate bars? Betty Crocker Reese’s brownie and cake mixes? And a one pound (two half pound cups) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups? They call it the World’s Largest Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.”
Head spinning from the (implied) sugar, one can’t help wondering if the store has a problem with people trying to move in? “Every day,” Ken tells me.
Every day. I can believe it.
GILLIAN O’MEAGHER
