Category Archives: Hard Candy

Finding Fruit Face – Another Mystery Solved!

As a confectionery brand historian and collector, one the most common inquiries I get are those that ask my assistance in identifying some product or brand from the hazy memories of that persons childhood.  I’m happy to get these requests … Continue reading

Posted in 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, Boxed, Hard Candy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments

My Year in Collecting: 2017!

While most folks do their 2017 “year in review” type editorials in December or January, mine tend to slip to February and in the case of this year and last, the month of March.  Even so, I’m wonderfully-excited to share … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, Boxed, Canadian, Chocolate, Christmas, Easter, Fleer, Gum, Gummies, Halloween, Hard Candy, Hershey, Holiday, M&M's, Mars, Nestle, Reese's, Sour Candy, Timeline, Topps, Wonka | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Search for the 1970’s Blow Pop “Squarepack” and Charms Blow Pop’s Earliest Origins!

When researching the history of candy, I sometimes come across things I’ve never seen before or didn’t previously know existed.  It often happens when I’m lucky enough to find a vintage store photo showing a candy display or aisle. Today … Continue reading

Posted in 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, Bubble Gum, Gum, Hard Candy, Lollipop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

A History of Willy Wonka’s Valentine’s Gobstopper Heartbreakers!

With Valentine’s Day arriving tomorrow, I thought it was the perfect time to dig into the history of a seasonal spin-off that has become a holiday classic: Willy Wonka’s (Gobstopper) Heartbreakers!  Make the jump to check it out.

Posted in 1980's, 1990's, Boxed, Hard Candy, Holiday, Nestle, Wonka | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brach’s 1953 Fall & Christmas Candy Catalog!

Now that our Halloween coverage for 2015 has ended (so very sad), it’s time to kick into the Fall!  And while I like to hold most of my dedicated Christmas coverage until December, I thought today’s content was a perfect … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, Chocolate, Christmas, Halloween, Hard Candy, Holiday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Colorful Characters of Shari Candies!

I’ve written before about my appreciation of private label or store brand candy packaging and how it offers all manner of variety in what could otherwise be a fairly repetitive category.  Oftentimes, private label candy packaging is simply the name … Continue reading

Posted in Bubble Gum, Chocolate, Gum, Gummies, Hard Candy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Willy Wonka’s DinaSour Eggs – A Classic 80’s Treat!

As Jurassic World continues its weeks-long Summer box office domination, I thought it would be fun to revisit some dinosaur-themed confectionery treats from the past.   Most kids delight in dinosaurs and many (myself included) even go through a phase of … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Boxed, Hard Candy, Wonka | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Surprising Candy of Howard Johnson’s!

I’ll often talk about how much I enjoy branded candy packaging that comes from unusual sources like private label or “store brands”.  These aren’t your typical Hershey or Mars offerings in that you can only find them at specific retail … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, Chocolate, Gum, Hard Candy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

It’s So Nice! A Walgreens Private Label Candy Update!

Today I’m going to revisit a topic I first covered back in March of 2013 – the candy products from Walgreens’ Nice! private label line. Not long after that initial post, I followed it up with a piece on Walgreens’ … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, Chocolate, cookies, Gummies, Hard Candy, Peanut Butter, Sour Candy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Brach’s Beautiful Fall Chocolate Promotion Packet from 1972!

Since acquiring the files of a former Brach’s salesman earlier this year, I’ve been working to document and preserve everything he saved.   Previously I’ve posted the contents of a 1971 Brach’s Halloween sales packet as well as materials related to … Continue reading

Posted in 1970's, Chocolate, Christmas, Hard Candy, Holiday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments