5 Vintage Candies Virginians Wish They’d Never Tried & 5 They’d Still Love To Enjoy Again
Growing up in Virginia, I developed quite the sweet tooth and tasted my fair share of classic candies.
Some of these treats became cherished memories, while others left me wondering how they ever made it to market.
Join me on this sugary trip down memory lane as we explore the vintage confections that make Virginians either cringe or crave a taste of nostalgia.
1. Circus Peanuts: The Foam Candy That Fooled Us All
My first encounter with Circus Peanuts was at my grandmother’s house in Richmond. Those orange, peanut-shaped marshmallow abominations promised so much yet delivered so little. The bizarre banana flavor that had absolutely nothing to do with their appearance confused my taste buds into submission.
The texture was equally offensive – somewhere between styrofoam and stale marshmallow, they squeaked against your teeth as you chewed. And don’t get me started on how they hardened after the package was opened!
Virginians particularly loathed these because they’d often turn up at church socials and family gatherings, tricking unsuspecting children with their playful shape. The disappointment was universal across the Commonwealth.
2. Necco Wafers: The Original Chalk Candy Experience
Remember those rolls of pastel-colored discs that resembled antacid tablets? Necco Wafers haunted Virginia corner stores for generations, and I can still recall the powdery disappointment that came with each bite. The flavors were supposedly different, but my childhood palate detected only subtle variations of sweetened chalk.
The worst part was their ubiquity at movie theaters across Virginia Beach and Norfolk. You’d reach into the darkness of your pocket, hoping for a chocolate treat, only to find these dusty discs that disintegrated before you could properly chew them.
The licorice ones were particularly notorious – black circles of punishment that somehow managed to taste both medicinal and like nothing at all simultaneously.
3. Clove Gum: Virginia’s Spicy Dental Nightmare
During summer visits to my aunt in Charlottesville, she’d always offer me Clove Gum from her purse. The spicy, medicinal flavor hit like a slap from an angry pharmacist. This pink nightmare masqueraded as bubble gum but delivered a burning sensation that no child could possibly enjoy.
Virginians of a certain age recall how this gum was pushed as a remedy for toothaches, making it doubly traumatic. The initial sweetness would quickly give way to an overwhelming clove assault that lingered for hours, making everything else taste like your grandmother’s spice cabinet.
The worst offense? The gum’s texture deteriorated faster than Virginia summer ice cream, transforming into a grainy, unpleasant mess that stuck stubbornly to dental work.
4. Bit-O-Honey: The Jaw-Breaking Taffy Terror
As a kid growing up in Norfolk, I dreaded Halloween houses that handed out Bit-O-Honey. These almond-flavored taffy rectangles were the dental work destroyers of the candy world. One minute you’re enjoying trick-or-treating, the next you’re scheduling an emergency visit to Dr. Thompson on Colonial Avenue.
The concept seemed innocent enough – honey-flavored taffy with almond bits. But the execution was diabolical. The candy hardened to concrete consistency the moment it hit Virginia’s humid air, requiring superhuman jaw strength to consume.
What made it particularly reviled was how it stuck to fillings and braces with tenacious determination. Many a Virginian adult still winces at the memory of pulling off a temporary crown thanks to this deceptively dangerous treat.
5. Mary Janes: The Peanut Butter Disappointment
The yellow and red wrappers of Mary Janes were fixtures in penny candy sections across Virginia stores. My grandfather loved them, which should have been my first clue – his generation had survived the Depression and would eat anything.
Mary Janes promised a delightful peanut butter and molasses experience but delivered something closer to sweetened cardboard with hints of legume. The texture was particularly offensive – starting hard as Virginia clay, then transforming into a sticky mass that cemented itself to the roof of your mouth.
Most Virginians remember the frustration of trying to peel the wax paper that inevitably fused to these candies in summer heat. Half the candy would remain stuck to the wrapper, though in retrospect, that was probably a blessing.
6. Charleston Chew: The Freezer-Friendly Favorite
Saturday matinees at the Byrd Theatre in Richmond weren’t complete without a Charleston Chew. Unlike its disappointing cousins on this list, this chewy nougat bar covered in chocolate was a true Virginia pleasure – especially when frozen! My dad taught me the secret technique of slapping the frozen bar against the movie seat to shatter it into bite-sized pieces.
The vanilla was the classic, but strawberry had a special place in my heart. The satisfying crack when broken frozen and the way it slowly softened as you chewed made it an interactive candy experience.
What made Charleston Chews particularly beloved across Virginia was their staying power – one bar could last through an entire double feature if you paced yourself, making them the economical choice for savvy young moviegoers.
7. Sugar Babies: The Caramel Pearls Of Joy
Nothing brings back memories of Norfolk’s Oceanview Amusement Park quite like Sugar Babies. These little caramel spheres came in boxes that I’d shake directly into my mouth while waiting in line for the roller coaster. The sweet, creamy caramel would dissolve slowly, creating the perfect distraction from pre-ride jitters.
The beauty of Sugar Babies was their simplicity – just pure caramel goodness without pretense. Unlike modern candies with their complicated flavor profiles and extreme sour notes, these treats delivered straightforward sweetness that lingered pleasantly.
Virginians particularly loved how these candies connected generations – grandparents who enjoyed them in the 1940s could share the exact same experience with their grandchildren decades later. Finding them today sparks immediate joy for those of us who grew up with their distinctive yellow boxes.
8. Sky Bar: The Four-Flavor Wonder
The Sky Bar was like getting four candies for the price of one – a concept that thrilled my frugal Virginian heart. Each segment contained a different filling: caramel, vanilla, peanut, and fudge, all wrapped in milk chocolate. Finding these at Ellman’s Pharmacy in downtown Charlottesville was always cause for celebration.
What made Sky Bars special was the element of choice. Depending on my mood, I could start with my favorite section (caramel) or save it for last. The anticipation of breaking into each compartment created a candy experience that was interactive and personal.
Fellow Virginians often reminisce about trading segments with siblings – “I’ll give you my peanut for your fudge” negotiations were serious business. The Sky Bar’s disappearance from shelves has left a segmented chocolate hole in our collective candy memories.
9. Chick-O-Stick: The Coconutty Peanut Butter Delight
My first Chick-O-Stick came from a gas station outside Roanoke during a family road trip. This curious orange stick looked like it might be chicken-flavored (the name didn’t help), but was actually a heavenly combination of peanut butter, coconut, and a hint of salt. The crispy, honeycomb-like texture crumbled satisfyingly with each bite.
Unlike many candies that went stale quickly in Virginia’s humidity, Chick-O-Sticks seemed to maintain their perfect consistency. The way the coconut coating stuck to your fingers was part of the experience – licking your fingers afterward was practically mandatory.
What endeared this candy to Virginians was its unpretentious nature. It wasn’t flashy or heavily advertised, but those who knew, knew. Finding someone else who appreciated Chick-O-Sticks was like discovering a member of a secret club.
10. Valomilk: The Flowing Marshmallow Cups
The first time I bit into a Valomilk at my cousin’s house in Williamsburg, I wasn’t prepared for the flowing marshmallow center. Unlike solid peanut butter cups, these chocolate cups contained a vanilla marshmallow cream that oozed deliciously with each bite. Eating them required strategy and quick reflexes to avoid a sticky situation.
Valomilks were temperamental in Virginia’s climate – too cold and the centers would thicken, too warm and you’d have a chocolate disaster. Finding them at the perfect consistency was like hitting the candy lottery. The rich chocolate paired with the sweet, flowing center created a texture contrast that was simply magical.
These treats became special occasion candies for many Virginia families, marking birthdays and good report cards. Their relative rarity made finding them in a local shop feel like discovering treasure.