I was a little kid back in the late 1970s. My most prized possession was my Misty Rose banana seat bike. I rode it around the whole neighborhood, all by myself. Back then, parents (or at least mine) had no fear of children being abducted or otherwise harmed. I certainly didn’t grow up with such fears. I guess my only dangerous encounter was when I was riding down a quiet road one day, daydreaming, only to be snapped out of my trance by the sound of a braking car. I then looked, and quickly stopped my bike staring head on with the car. I remember apologizing to the driver, and them warning me to pay more attention.
There were a couple little stores in the area,one on each end of the neighborhood, which I simply labeled as “candy stores”. One was a fairly new 7-Eleven quick mart, the other was a privately owned joint called the Orange Wood Deli. I’d ride to one of them nearly every day with some change, or even a dollar bill I earned from my simple chores at home. Sometimes mom would even give me some extra money so that I could buy her a treat, too. She’d make me promise not to tell anyone else. Ha, ha! Years later as an adult, I’d find out that she said the same thing to my sister and brother.
Once I searched through my mom’s bureau drawer and found a bunch of shiny dimes, and used them for candy. A few days later, mom asked me if I took them. I said yes. Apparently, they were silver dimes. Whoops! Luckily, I didn’t get into too much trouble. I wonder if the store clerk or another customer ever figured that out? They were definitely worth more than 10 cents!
I would never buy a lollipop at the stores, unless my money supply was really low. I think they were the very cheapest candy available, for like 5 cents or less, and I didn’t think they tasted good. Really, the only time I even touched a lollipop was when they gave them out for free at the bank or the doctor’s office. No, I had more sophisticated tastes back then. My ultimate favorite candy was called Toffifee, which happened to be the most expensive individual-sized candy available, at about 25 or 30 cents. It was a package of only three little mini candies containing a hazelnut in caramel, with creamy nougat and chocolate. As you can see below, they looked very fancy and sophisticated. They tasted mighty good, too.
I guess my other favorite candies were Almond Joys (still like them) and Charleston Chews (but only the strawberry flavor, covered with chocolate). The advantage of the Charleston Chew was that it was very big. Again, it cost at least 25 cents back in the late 1970s, but oh so worth it! The tastes of these candies also struck an eight year old as superior, especially to things like the sheets of white paper with colored sugar dots, and junk like that.
Well, I don’t eat that many candy bars anymore, but when I do, I’ll admit that I’ve graduated to even more luxury options. The German import Ritter Sport with marizipan or hazelnuts, or the Swiss Lindt chocolates of various flavors both go particularly well with a fine mini cup of strong espresso.
Toffifee is almost impossible to find anymore in my stores. The Charleston Chew strawberry flavor is rare, too. They now cost well over $1 for the same size I ate as a kid. Of course, Almond Joy is still readily available. Yea, I eat one from time to time. I’m afraid I don’t ride a bike very much anymore. I certainly should to burn off the calories.
Now my mouth is watering thinking of chocolate, and it’s not even 10 am.
Bird Flight 
Reading about childhood memories, is always so touching & heartwarming!
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I’m happy you liked my little story, Vandana. Thanks for reading it.
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Toffifee is one of my favorites! And did you ever freeze your charelston chews? OMG!!!! That was the best way to eat them. I liked the vanilla one. As a kid I had a thing for Butterfingers and Milky Ways.And I would buy Razzels from the ice cream man (candy that turned into gum! so magical! LOL) Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
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Thanks Izzy for sharing some of your childhood memories, too. Yes, I remember Razzels. It was a fun treat.
I never froze my Charleston Chews. Actually, I’d hold it in my hand when riding home one-handed, then it would be a little warm and even easier to chew.
Do you still find Toffifee’s?
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Once in awhile, usually at the gas station. I always buy them when I find them.
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I have a feeling availability varies across the country.
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What a sweet story! Reminds me of my bike ride to the candy store. Yes, there was only one. I was about eight when I discovered by chance a tiny stand, not far from home, which sold PEZ candy. I didn’t have enough money for the dispenser, but the ammo for it, sold separately, was dirt cheap. I was so happy, I didn’t want to go back to the stand anytime soon, so that the magic of the serendipitous moment wouldn’t fizzle out. Several months later, I went back, but the stand was gone. I never rode my bike to a candy store ever again.
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That sounds so sad, Napropasti. Maybe now you could go and buy the Pez dispenser and candy, if for no other reason but to end the story more happily.
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Mm, yummy. I love visiting the states to try your candy. I quite enjoyed the Charleston Chew last time I was there. Can’t remember if it was strawberry or not though.
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What is your favorite candy in Australia?
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Tim Tams. Though they’re more biscuits than candy 😊
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They look yummy! Thanks for sharing.
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Ritter Sport is so delicious! Especially the Butter Biscuit, that’s my favorite! A close tie to that would be Whole Hazelnuts! The Lindt Excellence line is tasty as well! I enjoy the White Coconut and Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate bars!
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I don’t know if I have ever tried their butter bisquit. I’ll have to give it a try. I tend to buy the marzipan and hazelnut the most. Mmm! Now I’m thinking about yummy chocolate and it’s only 10:11 am. Thanks for joining me on this journey down chocolate memory lane.
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Oh the Butter Buscuit is tasty! It’s like a chocoalte covered butter cookie of yum! 🙂
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Buttery bisquits sound wonderful! Honestly, I’d even enjoy eating Ritter Sport’s yummy chocolate off of cardboard.
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Reading this post made me nostalgic. How we used to save little money in our piggy banks to buys that special treat for us. Mine was a bun of sweet bread with nuts and raisins.
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Thank you for sharing your sweet story, as well. The sweet bun with nuts and raisins sounds yummy!
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Believe me they so are.
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Really enjoyed this trip down memory lane. It brought back many of my own trips to the corner store for candy. 🙂
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Thanks, Covert Novelist! Back then there was zero guilt for me. Occasionally I allow myself a “trip” and tell myself it’s for a good purpose.
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lol Love that! I do too smirk smirk Wishing you a Happy New Year with many rich blessings
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Thank you, and a Happy New Year to you, too!
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