17 Convenience Store Items Everyone Used to Grab
Here's a nostalgic roundup of 17 much-loved bites and gadgets once staples of every corner store run.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Convenience stores used to be treasure troves of quirky snacks, single-serve meals, and novelty items that defined generations of shoppers. This list highlights 17 items whose nostalgia still lingers. Each slide explores why they were once popular, what made them special, and why they’ve faded — or in some cases, come back.
1. Lucky Elephant Pink Candy Popcorn
Jennifer Ryan on pexels.
A Canadian staple since the 1950s, this pink-glazed popcorn once thrilled kids with its candy coating and surprise prize. Now, it is largely relegated to niche nostalgic shops. Its bright pink hue still sparks sweet memories.
2. Cherry Mash Candy Bar
Polina Tankilevitch on pexels.
This peanut-and-cherry combo bar has been a Midwest favorite since 1918. Once convenience-store gold, it’s now mostly a regional collectible treat. Its quirky flavor blend keeps cult fans hooked.
3. Dagashi (Japanese Penny Candy)
Garrett johnson on pexels
Brightly wrapped Japanese penny candies and snacks were every kid’s delight at mom-and-pop stores. Though less common today, modern konbini outlets still carry nostalgia in packages. Their affordable charm remains timeless.
4. Slurpee
Marco on Wikimedia Commons
Since 1967, chilly, carbonated Slurpees became synonymous with summertime convenience. Its signature Funny Names marketing made it iconic. Though fancier drinks now exist, nothing beats the classic slurp.
5. Ring Dings & Yodels
Castorly Stock on pexels.
These chocolate-drizzled snack cakes were lunchbox legends of the ’60s and ’70s. Their soft cakes and creamy filling made them instant hits. Many have since returned, proving their timeless appeal.
6. Mini Powdered Donuts
Унайзат Юшаева on pexels.
These bite-size sugar bombs flew off shelves in seconds. Individually wrapped and easy to grab, they epitomized convenience. Their quick disappearance speaks to our collective love or shame for sugar.
7. Oreo Cakesters
Nano Erdozain on pexels.
Oreo’s softer, cakier alternative burst onto shelves in 2007 and inspired major fan devotion. Its 2012 discontinuation only increased demand and limited-edition revivals.
8. Monster Cereals (Franken Berry, Count Chocula)
JÉSHOOTS on pexels
These Halloween cereals brought sugar, marshmallows, and nostalgic cartoon mascots to morning routines. Their periodic return proves fans love a spooky breakfast blast. Bright boxes still catch the eye.
9. Smucker’s Uncrustables
Austin Kirk on Wikimedia Commons
Frozen crustless PB&J sandwiches simplified lunch since 2000. Perfect for a quick grab, they made convenience store freezers more appealing. Their enduring presence shows that convenience wins over convention.
10. Dunkaroos
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The ’90s dip cookie snack sparked kid nostalgia around the world. Its return in 2020 triggered widespread excitement. Dunkaroos prove the power of retro branding.
11. Fruit Roll-Ups & Push Pops
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Fruit Roll-Ups and Push Pops were kid magnets at checkout aisles. Bright, playful, and portable, they defined snack appeal. Their modern resurgence still pleases repeat fans.
12. Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape
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Bubble gum that came with its own tape dispenser was a novelty that no child resisted. It offered value and fun stretching sessions. Even in adult years, the nostalgia stretches on.
13. Minute Maid Juice Bars
Charlotte May on pexels.
These frozen juice sticks were summer staples for road trips. They blended convenience and refreshment perfectly. Though health trends shifted, they remain nostalgically cool.
14. Station Pick-Me-Ups (ICEE, Slushies)
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Icy slushy drinks like ICEE or Slurpee became road-trip rituals. They blended sugary refreshment with nostalgia-laden flavors. A sip instantly brings back summer memories.
15. Candy Cigarettes
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Sold alongside real cigarettes, these sugary fakes let kids mimic adults. Once innocent fun, they vanished amid health awareness. Now, they’re controversial time capsules.
16. Novelty Pocket-Sized Grocery Lists & Gadgets
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From metal mini-lists to quirky gadgets, these finds made shopping playful. Their tactile novelty charms modern collectors. It was a relic of analog convenience in digital times.
17. Retro Alcopops (Bacardi Breezers)
Mehul on pexel.
These flavored alcopops dominated convenience aisles in the ’90s–2000s before disappearing. Their comeback taps into adult nostalgia and social media buzz. Breezers remind us how trends can come full circle.