Today I get to herald the return of a pair of Just Born treats from the early 1990’s; Lem and Mel, and Cherri and Bubb. After nearly two decades off the shelves these tasty treats are back, so today we’re going to take a look at these new retro boxes and the originals they’re based on.
Launched in 1989, Cherri and Bubb was the first flavor extension to the Just Born panned-candy family following the 1987 line-wide package redesign. Here’s a Cherri and Bubb box front from that period, courtesy of fellow collector Darlene Lacey, of CandyWrapperMuseum.com:
Just Born – Cherri and Bubb – Box Front – 1989 – Image courtesy CandyWrapperMuseum.com
Since I don’t have an original Cherri and Bubb in my collection (it’s on my want-list), it was especially fun to pick up the new retro-box version just released.
It’s interesting that the mascots have changed in a few notable ways. Cherri has changed from a masculine mascot with ball cap into a more clearly-feminine version. Bubb on the other hand, has gone mostly unchanged, though he has received a pair of pants on the 2012 box.
Here it is:
Just Born – Mike and Ike – Cherri and Bubb – retro candy box – Fall 2012
While the cherry flavor has made its way into other Mike and Ike mixes over the years, the bubble gum flavor has been missing for a generation – so it’s great to be able to sample this candy again. It’s just as tasty as I remember.
Next up, we’ll take a look at Lem and Mel. Launched in 1991, Lem and Mel launched alongside Strawbanana and joined the expanded line of Just Born products, which included Cherri and Bubb. I’m fortunate to have an original box in my collection, and here it is:
Just Born – Lem and Mel – NEW – candy box – 1992
For contrast and comparison, here’s the new retro-box version of Lem and Mel. [You’ll note the mascots remain largely the same here, though the blue visor has changed to a ball cap and been passed from Lem to Mel on the new box.]:
Just Born – Mike and Ike – Lem and Mel – retro candy box – Fall 2012
As with Cherri and Bubb, it’s great to have the Lem and Mel flavor mix back on shelves again. As a collector, it’s fun to be able to pick up these great retro-inspired mascot boxes, too.
I hope that these are a big sales success and that they lead to more retro releases of Just Born’s other forgotten favorites. Flavors like Strawbanana, Cool Kids, and even their root beer flavored Root-T-Toot candies — I’m crossing my collector fingers we get to see more.
Before I wrap up today, I wanted to share two related ads:
Just Born – trade ad for all candies including Cherri and Bubb – 1991
Just Born – Strawbanana – Lem and Mel – candy circular ad and coupon – 1992
And that’s everything we have today on the wonderful return of Lem and Mel, and Cherri and Bubb. You should start finding these on store shelves right now. They’re already available to order directly from Just Born if you can’t wait to find them.
See you next time!
Cool Kids were always my favorites. It was nice when they brought those back in the 1990’s (?). I think they have been retired again…
These are both very welcomed reincarnations. I’m looking forward to trying them, and especially glad to have mascots back on the Mike & Ike boxes.
Do you know which stores have them now? I’ve not seen them yet here.
Poor Bubb… they’re making him wear pants now! The good times are gone.
Great article, Jason!
Pretty cool! And now Cherry is a girl. I always love seeing how characters change, or evolve over the years…but a change in sex is a whole new thing! Love your blog Jason, especially the unknown tid bits and photos. Thanks for taking time to do this.
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I must say, Cherri as a girl fits a whole lot better than as a boy.