[Dr. Sivana]

I liked those paper strips with rows of candy dots that you peeled off and ate, always getting some of the paper as well.

The corner grocer my mom took me to would give me a strip of those that matched my mom's receipt. Next door was the penny candy store/bakery (Catapano's)where the candy really was a penny long after it was anywhere else (mid 70s). The old lady liked having little kids come in. Mary Janes, Swedish Fish, Zots (2 cents), Tootsie Rolls, B-B-Bats, Chinese fortune chewing gum, licorice (both vines and show strings), Pixy Sticks, Smarties (not the M&M style Canadian version) ... they were all there, behind the counter.

[Fresh Wind]

The corner grocer my mom took me to would give me a strip of those that matched my mom's receipt.

Yeah, the pusher always gives free fixes to the kids!

[garandgal]

Your post reminded me of my childhood..we are of similar age. When I was five, my Grandfather sent me out to pick up stray nails left over from a construction project. Now, this construction project was finished, but this went on for months.

He paid me a "penny a nail" and (amazingly) there were ALWAYS nails...no matter how thoroughly I had looked the previous week...LOL!

Anyway, I would then take my 15-20 cents, and walk by myself the three blocks to the grocer (who was a family friend). I could certainly add quite well by then, but Mr. K didn't have prices marked on the counter candies; let's just say I ended up with a bit more than I could have normally afforded. I always walked out of there with a large bag of candy, and a bottle of Orange or Strawberry Crush.

My Grandpa passed away when I was six...had he not, I suspect I would have been finding those nails for years!

[leaning conservative]

We had a place “Riddles” run by Mrs. Riddle. She was the meanest woman on the planet, but her little store was across from my elementary school ( I lived across the street from school & went home for lunch)& it was filled w/ every candy treasure & icecream! She must have made a fortune off us kids. We were terrified of her, but greediness for her goods kept us coming back.

She found out who my grandmother was & then she was pretty nice to me. I have really fond memories of that place & time. It was so innocent. I also loved the candy dots on the strip of paper. My husband loves BB bats & I will ocasionally buy him the little .59 cent bag.