Years before I launched CollectingCandy.com, I mounted an effort to create an online archive of vintage Christmas catalogs, like the old Sears Wishbooks. That vintage Christmas catalog website was and is WishbookWeb.com and this week and I relaunched WishbookWeb with a bundle of all-new features, accessibility, and a brand-new look. So today I’ll be connecting to that site’s return by first taking a look at Sears’ own in-store retail candy outlet called “The Candy Shop”. Make the jump to check it out!
The Sears Candy Shop! Plus: The Return of WishbookWeb.com!
CollectingCandy.com’s 5th Anniversary!! Plus the World Premier of the Lost Big League Chew Flavor: Cola!
Today marks five years exactly since CollectingCandy.com was launched (way back on February 6th, 2012) with a feature retrospective on the Big League Chew brand. Since then, I’ve penned another 632 articles including the publication of over 6,000 images (many of which were things that had never been seen anywhere else online before). It’s been a lot of work, but one heck of a fun time doing it.
Since the site launched on the glorious topic of Big League Chew, I thought it appropriate to dedicate today’s anniversary post to the same. For a long time I’ve been wanting to take a look at the full variety of Big League Chew historical packaging I’ve brought together over the years. Within this post you will find over 70 different Big League Chew packs represented, along with the world premier unveiling of a previously lost-and-forgotten flavor; Big League Chew Cola! Make the jump to check it out!
Super Bowl Sunday 2017 and Snickers’ Football Phrase Wrappers!
It’s once again Super Bowl Sunday, and once again I’ll be marking the day with some NFL tie-in candy wrappers! This year I’ll be featuring Mars’ play on their successful “You’re Not Yourself When You’re Hungry” Snickers trait bar promotion, only with football-related traits. So make the jump to check them out!
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 I’ll be sharing the story of my discovery-via-photo of the little known 1970’s Blow Pop Candies “Squarepack” along with its connection to Blow Pop’s earliest origins. Make the jump to check it out! Continue reading
The Secret History of Reese’s Pieces with Peanuts!
Reese’s Pieces have been around since the late 1970’s, and over the years the brand has received limited run extensions in the form of Reese’s Pieces with the addition of Peanuts. They did so just last year, but I was surprised to learn that the history of this brand extension goes back much further than I’d originally guessed. Make the jump to find out just how far!
How a 1970’s Russian “Red Scare” Set M&M’s Mascots Back Twenty Years!
Between 1976 and 1985, red M&M’s were banished from the world due to a Russian “red scare” having to due with a food dye additive. It is a story that has been told before, but newly discovered evidence reveals an aspect of the tale that has never been considered before now; how M&M’s own red scare may have delayed the rise of their globally-popular mascot characters for twenty years. Make the jump to check it out!
Nestle’s Long Forgotten Bonanza Bar and A Tale of Two Product Launches!
Today’s post is one I am especially excited to publish as the Bonanza bar has been on my list of lost-to-history brands I’ve long sought to uncover evidence on. Until today, there have never been images or references to the Nestle Bonanza bar anywhere online – not a single mention – it was un-Google-able – but no more. This entry is not only about the Bonanza bar, but about how two similar product launches can lead to very different outcomes. So make the jump to check out Nestle’s long forgotten Bonanza bar!
Christmas 2016: Hershey’s Decorative Foil Holiday Kisses Exclusives!
Last year, Hershey’s started having fun with their seasonal Kisses by adding decorative foils to their already bountiful lineup of specialty holiday flavors. Christmas 2016 saw the release of four different packs, each one exclusive to a different retail chain, making for a fun candy hunt. Make the jump to check them out!
FYE’s Exclusive WWE Wrestling Chocolate Bars!
Earlier this year, the FYE chain of stores released an exclusive line of deluxe chocolate bars featuring a line-up of current WWE Wrestling favorites. Make the jump to check them out!
Snickers Week Day 5: Poland’s Amazing Gremlins Wrappers!!
We’ve arrived at the final day of Snickers week but as the saying goes we saved the best for last. Well, it’s the best as far as I’m concerned. That’s because today’s look at Snickers wrappers inspired by the “You’re Not Yourself When You’re Hungry” campaign goes full Gremlins. Make the jump to check it out!