In addition to their own signature sodas and other drinks, Exotic Pop is also known for sourcing sodas, drinks and other products that are only available in certain parts of the world or were only available for a limited time. Many of them line the shelves of their Houston warehouse space, Wednesday, April 6, 2022.It depends on where you’re buying. A 2-liter Coke goes for $1.99 on Amazon Fresh. At Fiesta, you can get a six-pack for as low as $2.50.
“Everybody wants something that nobody has. For the longest, it’s been jewelry, car, shoes, clothes. That’s been recycled for so long through music videos and social media,” says Charleston Wilson, Exotic Pop founder and CEO.3 p.m. Saturday at César E. Chávez High School, 8501 Howard6 p.m. Saturday at The One Club, 20434 Kuykendahl, Spring
“Everybody’s eyes illuminated. I had no idea,” Wilson recalls. “Everybody went crazy in the barbershop.”They sold immediately, and Wilson began regularly delivering sodas to the shop. But after just a few exchanges, the shop couldn’t keep up with the demand. Wilson, who was spending his entire paycheck on product, was stuck with cases of sodas.
Rappers soon began paying attention. Paul Wall gave them a “monumental” boost when he posted about Exotic Pop on Instagram. That led to interest from the likes Travis Scott, who recruited Wilson to create a custom vending machine valued at $50,000. It included a 40-inch touch screen LED panel and hologram effects. They’re currently working on a custom cooler for Bun B.
Wilson landed a licensing and bottling deal in 2019 with Pepsi to launch Exotic Pop’s own line of beverages tied to hip-hop icons. The first four featured Big Mo, DJ Screw, Fat Pat and Big Hawk. There have been limited runs of Dennis Graham’s Pops Cream Soda; and Mama Moe’s 3rd Ward Sweet Tea.Exotic Pop did $6 million in profits for 2021, fueled in part by their array of hard-to-find snacks. Among the most popular are strawberry milkshake Pop-Tarts, banana Twinkies and Dr. Pepper cotton candy.