15 Things Every Grocery Store Had in the 1960s That Are Rare Today

Grocery shopping in the 1960s was like a ritual in the neighborhood, built on the foundation of humanity, simplicity, and trust. One could rely on the presence of full-service meat counters, hand-written signs, and the sound of coffee grinders inside the store, creating an overall sensory experience. The people were in touch with the products, creating a sense of belonging. The return of soda bottles, the Green Stamp program, and the credit tab system encouraged people to be responsible consumers. With the passing of time, these aspects of the shopping experience have disappeared, driven by the need for technological advancements, cost reduction, and the evolution of shopping habits.

1. Full-Service Meat Counters with Butchers on Duty

Grocery stores in the 1960s had full-service meat departments with experienced butchers who truly knew their craft. Consumers would approach the counter, talk to the butcher, and watch as the meat was cut to order in front of the consumer’s eyes. Thick steaks, whole chickens, and specialized cuts of meat were prepared right in front of the consumer, on the spot. A&P and Safeway were two brands that consumers trusted, and the reason was the direct interaction with the butcher. Consumers would generally return to the same butcher week in and week out, as he would know the family size and preferences.

2. Penny Candy Displays in Glass Jars

Grocery stores in the 1960s were known to add a pop of color by having penny candies displayed in a glass container on the front counter. These containers were filled with candies such as Mary Janes, buttons, and wax candies filled with a sweet syrup. Children would stand on their tiptoes, pointing to their favorite candies as they were poured into small paper bags by store clerks. These candies were cheap, so children could easily reward themselves with a small bag of them with their spare change. Woolworth’s was one store that helped make this a popular display, turning it into a small part of a family’s day out. The jars added a pop of color to the store, lighting it up with their brightness and charm.

3. Handwritten Price Tags and Signs

Grocery stores from way back in the 1960s communicated with their customers through handwritten price tags and signs. The employees would pull out their pens or chalk and write prices on small cards placed alongside each product. Every week, big boards near the store’s front door would display special deals in bold, attention-grabbing letters. The store would update these signs by hand, reflecting the day’s deals and inventory changes. Stores such as Piggly Wiggly used a simple, straightforward approach. This approach gave these stores a personal touch that is often missing today with digital pricing. The sign had a small personal touch from the different handwriting.

4. Deposit Soda Bottle Return Stations

In the 1960s, in any given grocery store, there was usually a return station for empty soda bottles, located near the entrance or in a corner. People would return empty glass bottles, filled with Coca-Cola and Pepsi, stacked in wooden crates, all neatly arranged in rows. People would hand these bottles over to the store clerk or place them in designated racks. Each returned bottle would earn a small deposit, measured in a few cents, encouraging people to save and return the empty bottles. This was a common practice in all stores across the United States and was part of a typical shopping trip. Children would pick up empty bottles from their homes or even from their neighbors to make extra money.

5. In-Store Coffee Grinders

In the 1960s, grocery stores had large coffee grinders sitting out so that if a person wanted to purchase whole coffee beans, they could grind them on the spot. Folgers and Maxwell House sold their coffee in large metal tins, and people could grind it fresh on the spot. The grinders were sitting out next to the coffee, and they were very simple to use. People could choose how coarse or how fine they wanted their coffee to be. The room was filled with the sound of grinding, but eventually, the smell of fresh coffee wafted through the entire store. People believed that freshly ground coffee tasted better and felt fresher, so it was a popular choice in many households.

6. Green Stamp Redemption Counters

Grocery stores, for example, in the 1960s would participate in trading stamp programs, such as S&H Green Stamps. These stamps would be collected according to the amount of spending done, and they would be kept at home in books. Some grocery stores even had redemption counters where people could exchange the stamps they had collected for home goods, such as toasters, dishes, or appliances. The idea behind the trading stamp programs was simple: people would be rewarded for their loyalty to the particular grocery store they shopped in. Families would even get into the stamp-collecting game together, with the kids helping to glue the stamps into the books, and the parents planning what they would redeem the stamps for.

7. Open Produce Bins Without Packaging

In the 1960s, grocery stores displayed fruits and vegetables in the open, in plain wooden bins with no plastic wrapping or names. Apples, potatoes, onions, and oranges were stacked high on the bins, encouraging customers to touch and inspect the products they were choosing to purchase. Customers carried small paper bags as they wandered through the store, choosing each item individually from the bins. Stores such as Kroger and A&P placed the bins near the store entrance, creating a welcoming atmosphere with the natural colors and textures of the fruits and vegetables, making the produce area look colorful and genuine.

8. Paper Grocery Bags with No Alternatives

Groceries were carried in brown paper bags, and the cashiers would carefully stack the items in the bag, placing the heavier items at the bottom and the more delicate items at the top, in order to protect everything during the trip home. If the items were too heavy, the bag would be double-bagged to prevent it from ripping during the trip home. The employees at Safeway would be trained to efficiently pack the items, and the entire process would be quite efficient. The bags would be carried home by hand or tossed into the car, since the concept of reusable bags had not yet entered the picture.

9. Store Clerks Who Packed and Carried Groceries

In the 1960s, grocery stores had employees whose sole purpose was to help customers by wrapping things up for them. After the final amount was calculated at the checkout counter, an employee would lovingly put all the customer’s items into bags and even volunteer to take them outside and put them into the customer’s vehicle. This was not an isolated practice, and many stores, including big brands like Piggly Wiggly, offered this as an essential part of their business. This was an added measure of convenience for customers and added a personal touch to their experience. Customers benefited from this practice, especially when purchasing many items from their local grocery store.

10. Cigarette Displays at Checkout Counters

In the 1960s, cigarettes were displayed openly and were arranged in rows at the back of the checkout counters. The cigarette brands, such as Marlboro, Camel, and Lucky Strike, were arranged in rows and just a few steps from the checkout counters. The customers could simply ask for a pack of cigarettes, and the storekeeper would be more than happy to provide it. The display of cigarettes was done in plain sight for all customers, including children. This was also an era of open smoking and was considered fashionable. The storekeepers were the first source of purchase for cigarettes. Over time, as more and more people were exposed to the ill effects of smoking, rules were implemented. The display of cigarettes was moved or kept hidden.

11. Glass Milk Bottles with Delivery Crates

In the 1960s, grocery stores had milk in glass bottles that could be returned to the store for reuse. These glass bottles were stacked in crates to facilitate safe delivery. Glass bottles are thick and transparent, with simple lids that allow the cream to settle to the top. Brands from local dairy farms could also be found on the milk bottles in stores in the area. Glass bottles also highlighted the importance of reuse and sustainability before the concept became popular, with families washing and returning the bottles to the store as part of the routine. However, plastic containers replaced glass bottles due to the cost and convenience factor, with the return system no longer being necessary.

12. In-Store Bakery Counters with Daily Fresh Bread

Grocery stores in the 1960s had what was known as a bakery counter, with bread and pastries that were freshly baked every day. Early in the morning, bakers worked hard, baking bread, rolls, and cakes that filled the store with a warm, welcoming smell, attracting many people. The people would go to the counter, select the fresh, straight-from-the-oven bread, and go about their business. The A&P store, among others, developed a reputation for the freshness of its bread, which was mostly wrapped in brown paper, not plastic bags. The bread counter not only attracted people by the smell, but also by the quality.

13. Wooden Floorboards That Creaked Underfoot

In the 1960s, the floors of the grocery store were made of wooden floorboards, which creaked with a soft, identifiable sound whenever someone passed by on them. These were the standard floors of old neighborhood markets and of old town stores that had been around for decades. Every step on the wooden floor had a sound that was identifiable, along with the chatter of the people inside the store and the rolling of the carts. The wooden floor, smooth from years of constant foot traffic, had the feel of history in its texture. The wooden floor, however, has been replaced by tile and polished concrete, which is much easier to maintain and much longer-lasting.

14. Small Neighborhood Credit Tabs

In the 1960s, local grocers would allow loyal customers to establish a credit tab with the store. Customers would purchase the items they needed and pay the store later. The shopkeepers would keep simple records in notebooks, writing down each purchase made by the customer and listing the item under the customer’s name. The families would then pay off the balance either weekly or monthly, depending on what they could afford. This was the typical routine in small, tight-knit stores where the relationship between the shop owner and the customer was almost like a personal connection. The credit tab helped families get by in hard times. It was also a way to stretch the payment when money was tight.

15. Live Lobster Tanks and Fresh Seafood Displays

In the 1960s, especially along the coast, it was common for grocery stores to display live lobsters in tanks or have open seafood displays on display. Consumers were encouraged to select their seafood or lobsters directly from the tanks to ensure freshness. The store clerks were then responsible for picking up the seafood, and it was prepared for the customer upon request. Ice-packed seafood counters displayed fish, shrimp, and various seafood, allowing consumers to select the quality of seafood prior to purchasing it. Grocery stores located in fishing communities made this a notable aspect of the shopping experience, especially since the display of live seafood emphasized the concept of “fresh” in a very obvious manner.

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