They say that Philadelphia was once the “workshop of the world,” but when you think about that, the Krazy Straw® does not immediately come to mind. But in 2017, Philadelphians can proudly say, between spoonfuls of hoagie dip, that not only did the Krazy Straw® originate here, but that apparently, it’s still thriving today.

Yes, that odd obsession from childhood — it’s a straw, see, but it loops de loop, it’s krazy! — has recently re-entered the consciousness, both with innovations like personalized Krazy Straws® that can spell out one’s name or hashtag, and an oddly strong Instagram game. (Who knows what online behaviors led me to find this out today, but there it is.) And it’s all based here in Philly. At present, Krazy Straws® are headquartered at 4th & Girard — which feels right, somehow, right across the street from this guy.