“Our customers buy the candy to re-live a memory,” explained Old Time Candy Company owner Don Bridge in an email. The Old Time Candy Company’s candies and chocolates are also purchased for special events such as 50th birthday parties and class reunions. Customers also search for sweets that they can’t find locally, but that an online candy store carries.
Where Does Retro Candy Come From?
Old fashioned candy is considered “retro” because most adults haven’t eaten it for decades. That doesn’t mean the candy itself is decades old. Many types of nostalgic candy are still being made by candy manufacturers and carried by online candy stores. “We receive fresh supplies several times a week and we'll sell it fast enough that it doesn't sit around for long,” says online candy store Nostalgic Candy in its FAQ.
The Most Popular Types of Old Fashioned Candy
There is a wide variety of nostalgic candy available, including sugar free and kosher versions. Don Bridge says his personal retro candy favorites are Caramel Creams, Sky Bars, M&M Peanuts and the Zero Bar. He lists the following as current customer favorites at the Old Time Candy Company:
- Candy Cigarettes
- Bit-o-honey
- Sugar Daddy
- Zotz
- Now & Laters
- Chuckles
- Atomic Fireballs
- Jaw Breakers
- Root Beer Barrels
- Bottle Caps
- Bubble Gum Cigars
- Bazooka Bubble Gum,
- Nik-L-Nips (wax syrup bottles)
- Whistle Pops
- Wax Lips
Nostalgic Candy and Nostalgic Accessories
Many online candy stores specializing in nostalgic candy offer nostalgic accessories too. Old fashioned candy can be ordered as an assortment by decade in retro tins, bags and boxes. Customers can usually buy nostalgic toys, mugs and magnets as well. The Old Time Candy Company even has a web page featuring vintage commercials for several brands of retro candy, including Bonomo’s Turkish Taffy, Space Food Sticks and 100 Grand.
Retro Candy for Corporate Gifts and Events
Besides supplying old fashioned candy for gifts, reunions and candy aficionados, many online candy stores work with corporate clients as well. “Our largest orders are from corporate customers who buy decade assortments for holiday gifts,” said Bridge. “We have also supplied specific candies for large parties and corporate events.”
Corporate clients can also use retro candy to improve employee morale. Bridge’s favorite story is a corporate client who bought a large amount of wax lips for a difficult meeting. “She knew going in that it would be a tough day,” explained Bridge. “She started by passing out the wax lips. It broke a very tense environment when people actually put them in their mouths. It brought smiles to everyone's face. She reported that it was still a tough meeting but it went very well.”
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