CHAPTER TWO: MOLD-A-RAMA-DOT-COM

Naturally, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic brought this sense of tradition and comfort to a screeching halt.When the pandemic first resulted in lockdowns, Paul Jones, Mold-A-Rama Inc.’s CEO, was in Texas, working the machines the company owns at the San Antonio Zoo. He got a call explaining that one of the locations that Mold-A-Rama machines are located in was to close over the weekend for a cleaning. At first, this was seen as nothing too disruptive. However,  by that Monday, all ten Mold-A-Rama-affiliated locations around the country had closed indefinitely due to the pandemic. If Mold-A-Rama were to continue operation without the crowds it relied on, something was going to have to change.

“We have an online store, and we usually don’t sell souvenirs online… we decided we’re going to change that,” Jones said. the pandemic, Mold-A-Rama’s online store primarily sold company-themed apparel. However, since then, the souvenirs traditionally made by the machines in-person have been sold through the online store in addition to apparel. The online store souvenirs tend to be pricier than their in-person counterparts. But, in addition to shipping costs, the extra money also goes to many of the locations that are affiliated with Mold-A-Rama to assist them during the financial crisis COVID-19 has caused. Zoos, for example, are particularly hard-hit due to still needing to care for the animals while also having little to no revenue. 

 “When you close a zoo, things don’t just stop,”  Jones said.

The online store model, while perhaps lacking some of the magic of watching a machine form a wax figurine right before one’s eyes, has been serving Mold-A-Rama Inc. well during this unusual time. 

“We’ve seen a lot of activity in our store… we’re doing well,” said Jones. “It’s nothing like the usual business, but people can still get their Mold-A-Rama fix. This pandemic has been rough on everyone. We’re grateful for our fans and how loyal they are.”