(WWJ) -- The penny may be leaving, but Meijer’s Sandy the Pony is eternal.
The announcement was made earlier this year that production of the coin would be halted. The last U.S. penny was produced Wednesday.
Meijer’s mechanical ride is one of the few things that still cost one cent, and questions have been raised about what the loss of the coin means for Sandy’s future.
“That’s one of the reasons the team at Meijer is making it a priority to find a solution,” Meijer historian Lisa VanArragon said. “Just to make sure that Sandy continues to be part of the Meijer experience for many years to come.”
Sandy the Pony was first introduced in 1962, the same year the first Meijer superstore opened.
Founder Fred Meijer wanted to create a unique shopping experience, which included having kids regularly joining their parents on trips.
VanArragon said from the beginning, the Meijer family wanted to keep costs for Sandy low. Families in the 1950s and 1960s typically had multiple children. Coin operated rides were 10 cents, which isn’t a lot today, but for families in the mid-20th century, that could leave parents with a tough choice.
“We didn’t want parents to feel they’re being taken advantage of at Meijer,” VanArragon said. “We also didn’t want the children to leave sad. ‘There’s this nice thing, but we can’t afford it this week.’”
The first store, opened in Grand Rapids, had nine of the rides lined up for kids to try. Nine Sandys returned to the location for the 50th anniversary in 1992.
Technology has come a long way since the 1960s. Many find themselves more wrapped up in their phones than interacting with each other.
VanArragon said the human connection Sandy fosters transcends our focus on technology.
Pennies are usually left sitting on the platforms, meaning kids who don’t have a penny can still ride. VanArragon said it’s a simple way for people to connect with complete strangers by simply leaving a penny for someone else.
What Sandy’s exact future will be is unclear, but the one thing everyone is sure of is that she will be here for generations to come.