Before TWO MILLION pilgrims arrive, Philly vendors plan to cash in with kistch

Beer, toast and other items are on the menu for hungry pilgrims.

The arrival of Pope Francis and some two million pilgrims in Philadelphia next month is expected to bring a windfall to most of the businesses in the city which can remain open during the visit. Businesses will have a single weekend to entice pilgrims to visit their establishments. The effort to prepare for this business opportunity has created some strange products.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - We all know the story about the woman who saw the face of Jesus in her breakfast toast. Somewhere, a brilliant, if tacky marketer, decided to make toasters that brill the image of Jesus into every slice. Now, the same exists for Pope Francis. Many Catholics may have a hard time stomaching the bread, but there will be enough buyers to make the gimmick worthwhile. AT least one vendor hopes to sell toasters so people can enjoy Pope Francis toast whenever they like.

Brewers are also hoping to score big by selling boutique brews branded for the occasion. The Manayunk Brewing Co. has concocted "Papal Pleasure," described as a "Belgian amber ale" made with Argentine malbec wine and South American sugar. The firm even convinced a local priest to bless the water.

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One deli is even selling pope-shaped mozzarella.

Vendors will be hawking much more than beer and toast when the pilgrims begin to arrive. Rosaries, crosses and crucifixes, and all kinds of papal memorabilia will be sold. Food and other necessities will be sold at higher prices than normal because the demand will bear it. Anyone who has been to a papal visit knows, the atmosphere will be part party, part street survival, and part Amazing Race. The kitsch is just another part of the experience.

Most of the 2 million Catholic pilgrims will have none of it, if they can avoid it, but there will be enough buyers that the vendors can't miss, no matter how tacky their wares.

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