Ah, the sweet taste of nostalgia! Candy bars are often the ultimate comfort snacks that take us down memory lane. But, over time, some of our cherished favorites have disappeared from store shelves.
Whether they were a victim of changing tastes or simply lost in the highly competitive candy market, these nine discontinued candy bars hold a special place in the hearts of many. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and rediscover these sugary treasures.
9. Bar None (1986-1997)
Bar None, introduced by The Hershey Company in 1986, was a delightful mix of chocolate wafers, peanuts, and chocolate cream, all enveloped in milk chocolate. Although its initial popularity led to an unfortunate tweak in the recipe, which included dividing the bar into two pieces, the new iteration couldn’t captivate the market, leading to its discontinuation in 1997.
8. Marathon Bar (1973-1981)
This caramel-filled, braided chocolate bar was aptly named Marathon for its length, which was almost a foot long! Produced by Mars Inc., Marathon Bar’s packaging featured a ruler on the back, indicating the bar’s impressive length. Unfortunately, its long run was rather short-lived and production ceased in 1981.
7. Reggie! Bar (1978-1982, 1993)
A tribute to baseball legend Reggie Jackson, the Reggie! Bar was a round concoction of caramel, peanuts, and chocolate. It gained fame when it was handed out to fans during a game where Jackson hit a home run. However, after an initial run and a short-lived revival in 1993, the Reggie! Bar struck out for good.
6. Summit (1983-1984)
The Summit bar had a relatively brief moment in the spotlight. It consisted of two wafers covered in peanuts and coated in chocolate. Although its light and crispy texture was appreciated, it struggled to find its place among other more popular candy bars, and was discontinued just a year after its introduction.
5. PB Max (1989-1994)
PB Max, produced by Mars Incorporated, was known for its wholesome taste. It contained creamy peanut butter and oats on top of a whole wheat cookie, all coated in milk chocolate. Despite strong sales, it was discontinued allegedly due to the Mars family’s dislike for peanut butter.
4. Space Food Sticks (1972-1970s)
Created by Pillsbury in the early 70s, Space Food Sticks were marketed as a futuristic snack. They were chewy, cylindrical, and available in multiple flavors like chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter. Though they lost popularity by the end of the 70s, they’re fondly remembered as a symbol of the Space Age’s influence on popular culture.
3. 7 Up Bar (1951-1979)
Not to be confused with the soft drink, the 7 Up Bar by Pearson’s Candy contained seven different pockets, each filled with a different flavor, such as cherry, coconut, caramel, fudge, jelly, maple, and Brazil nut. With the advent of more streamlined candy production methods, the complexity of the 7 Up Bar led to its downfall.
2. PowerHouse (1928-1986)
Made by the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company, PowerHouse was a hefty combination of peanuts, caramel, and fudge, all enveloped in milk chocolate. It was a staple in American culture for almost six decades, but competition and changing consumer preferences eventually led to its discontinuation.
1. Nestlé Wonder Ball (1997-2004, 2016)
Originally called Nestlé Magic Ball, the Wonder Ball was a hollow chocolate ball that contained little toys, and stickers. The slogan “What’s in a Wonder Ball” was catchy and still rings through the minds of those that remember it. In 1997, they were discontinued because the toys inside were a choking hazard. They had a brief resurgence in the early 2000’s and 2016 as the Wonder Ball. The toys were changed to little candies hidden within. Unfortunately, it is once more discontinued with no plans to return.
So many candy bars, so little time. Like many fast food items, they come and they go…you’re favorites victim to time or changing brand models, and then these creations become nothing more than a nostalgic memory.
