You Are What You Were. Celebrate Retro Pop Culture At Retroland.
If you grew up in the 70s, you just might remember a little chain called The Pop Shoppe. Based in Ontario, Canada and located within 14 states in this country, this place was a kid’s dream come true – a store that sold nothing but soda...26 different kinds of soda! And the best part was that you could mix and match the flavors, as you picked out 24 returnable bottles to fill a red plastic crate, which was used to transport your soft drink bounty to and from home.
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They say that as people get older, they lose the majority of their taste buds. Assuming this is true, one must wonder if some unsuspecting folks lost a handful during their youth, due to incineration by the Atomic Fireball. While there’s no substantial proof, or any studies for that matter, it certainly seems plausible.
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When you think of Australian foods that have made an impact in the States, your list might be limited to Foster's Beer, shrimps on the barbie, and perhaps a strange concoction known as Vegamite. Less easy to remember, but equally worthy of mention, is a tasty candy bar that emerged in the 80s called Violet Crumble. A unique confection sold in a shiny purple wrapper, the candy bar might not have given Snickers a run for their money, but they remain fondly remembered by many for being different, and delicious.
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Sure, when you ponder sweetened popcorn snacks, you might immediately think of the iconic Cracker Jack, the boxed treat that has been forever linked with America’s favorite pastime. But not everyone enjoys peanuts mixed with their popcorn, and in the 60s, a company called Lincoln Snacks introduced a clever and humorous alternative to the beloved Cracker Jack. Given the name, Screaming Yellow Zonkers, it was clear out of the gate that this decidedly different concoction might not be taking themselves all too seriously. That didn’t stop millions from embracing this popcorn treat that dared to be different.
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Often times, we don't realize the value of something until it is taken away. From that point forth, we mutter, we sign petitions, we reminisce with a saddened sigh. Such is the case with a tasty little confection known as BarNone. Introduced by Hershey's in 1986, it managed to stay in the candy aisle for a little over a decade, making more than a few fans along the way. And then it was gone, much to the chagrin of all who once savored its chocolatey goodness.
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Parents tend to sigh in relief whenever their children take a liking to something that also happens to be nutritionally sound. And for many years now (longer than the broadcast of radio in this country), Ovaltine has sold itself as a vitamin-rich beverage with a flavor that every kid loves. Truth be told, maybe not every kid, but enough to sell millions of jars of the powdered drink mix over the years.
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Coke and Pepsi may be the undisputed leaders in the cola beverage market, but a third option has existed since 1934, one that its loyal following has always insisted is the best of the three. Its full name is Royal Crown Cola, but most know it simply as RC Cola. And, though it certainly can't compete with the advertising budgets of the other two behemoths, RC has managed to hold its own quite nicely for over 70 years.
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Jelly beans are not a new confection by any means. In fact, versions of the kidney_shaped candy with the hard shell and gooey interior have a history that dates back to the Civil War era. For those who like variety, however, the traditional version never offered much more than a handful of generic, artificial flavors. That is, until the arrival of the Jelly Belly. From that day forth, seemingly every flavor under the sun became available in jelly bean form, thereby converting millions of candy fans into jelly bean connoisseurs.
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Perhaps no other cereal has ever hit the market with as audible a bang as Rice Krispies. A staple of breakfast tables for over 80 years, their welcoming morning cacophony has put smiles on the faces of millions of kids over the years. Quite the feat considering that the original Rice Krispies are not coated in sugar like many of their competitors (assuming you stick to the original, that is).
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When one thinks of individually packaged snack cakes, the first word that probably comes to mind is “Hostess.” But for those who grew up on the East Coast of the United States, there has always been an equally-loved underdog known as Drake’s Cakes. For those east coasters who have relocated to places where their beloved Devil Dogs and Yodels are no longer available, Hostess snacks are considered a substandard substitute for the treats they hold dear to their heart.
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