Top 16+ Things Every Corner Store Sold That You Can’t Find Anywhere Now

Remember when the corner store was more than just a quick stop for gas and lottery tickets? Back in the 1960s and early ’70s, these neighborhood fixtures were treasure troves of unique treats and everyday essentials that have largely disappeared from today’s shelves. Let’s take a nostalgic stroll down the aisles of yesterday and rediscover some items that made our local corner stores so special.

1. Penny Candy Displays

Those glass cases filled with individual candies were a child’s paradise. Mary Janes, Bit-O-Honey, candy cigarettes, and Atomic Fireballs could be had for just a penny each. The shopkeeper would patiently count out our selections as we pointed through the glass, paper bag in hand, making tough decisions with our weekly allowance.

2. Soda Bottle Return Station

Every store had wooden crates for returning glass soda bottles, with a 2-cent charge for small bottles and a nickel for the larger ones. We’d scour the neighborhood for empties, turning them in for candy money. The satisfying clink of bottles and the smell of stale soda were part of the experience.

3. Cigarette Vending Machines

Those chrome and glass machines with their pull knobs were fixtures in every store, no ID required. For 35 cents, you could get any brand you wanted. While we certainly know better now, back then these machines were as common as newspaper stands.

4. Wax Bottles and Lips

Those tiny wax bottles filled with colored sugar water were a unique treat. You’d bite off the top, drink the syrup, then chew the wax like gum. The wax lips and mustaches were another favorite, letting us play dress-up while enjoying a sweet treat.

5. Bulk Pickles in Barrels

Giant wooden barrels filled with dill pickles were a common sight, with shopkeepers fishing them out with wooden tongs. For a nickel, you could get a giant dill pickle wrapped in wax paper. The brine smell would fill the store, making your mouth water before you even got to the counter.

6. Comic Book Spinner Racks

Those metal spinning racks filled with the latest comics were impossible to resist. For 12 cents, you could get the newest Superman or Archie adventure. The shopkeeper didn’t mind if you stood there reading, as long as you didn’t bend the pages too much.

7. Phone Number Index Books

Those little flip books for recording phone numbers were essential before smartphones. Usually displayed near the register, they came in various colors with alphabetical tabs. Some even had tiny pencils attached by a string.

8. Cloth Handkerchiefs

Before tissues became ubiquitous, every store had a display of men’s handkerchiefs. They came in white cotton with different border designs, neatly folded and ready for pocket placement. Dad would always keep one handy for emergencies.

9. Ribbon Candy Display

Those delicate, colorful strips of twisted hard candy were works of art. They came in a special display case, carefully arranged to prevent breaking. During holidays, these beautiful candies were must-have decorations for candy dishes.

10. Metal Ice Trays

Those aluminum ice trays with the lever that cracked the ice were a kitchen staple. Every corner store stocked them, and they lasted forever. The satisfying crack when you pulled the lever to release the cubes was a sound everyone knew.

11. Paper Doll Books

These inexpensive entertainment books were popular impulse buys. Each book contained a cardboard doll with various paper outfits to cut out. They were often displayed near the comics, providing hours of creative play for just a quarter.

12. Sewing Notions Display

Every store had a section of basic sewing supplies – needles, thread, buttons, and safety pins. These weren’t craft supplies but everyday necessities when people regularly mended their clothes. The wooden display case with its tiny drawers was a familiar sight.

13. S&H Green Stamp Books

Those little green stamps were like a second currency, earned with purchases and collected in special books. Every store had a rack of empty stamp books and catalogs showing what treasures you could get when you filled enough books.

14. Flashbulbs

Before built-in camera flashes, these one-time-use bulbs were essential for indoor photography. They came in blue plastic cubes or individual bulbs, and every store kept them near the film. The distinctive pop and smell of a used flashbulb is unforgettable.

15. Wooden Clothespins

When everyone had a clothesline, these sturdy wooden pins were household necessities. Stores sold them in bags of dozens, and they were built to last. The spring-loaded ones were considered fancy compared to the traditional solid wood version.

16. Film Development Envelopes

Those yellow or orange film envelopes were always near the register. You’d drop off your roll of film, wait a week or more, then return to discover how your pictures turned out. The anticipation of picking up developed photos was part of the experience.