Shopping for sweet treats has long been a joy for young and old alike! Here are photos from 1938 and 1939 that show people buying candies — by the bar, by the box and by the bag — and take a glimpse back at the stores back in the pre-WWII era.
Candy bars we know & love
Display of candy in a store window in La Forge, Missouri — August 1938 (Photo by Russell Lee)
And a close-up view of the Jolly Jacks, Snickers, Milky Ways, Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, Keep Kool and KokoNuts.
Texas fruits and treats
Display of candy and fruits at a grocery store in San Angelo, Texas in November, 1939 (Photo by Russell Lee)
New Jersey candy shop stocked fo Easter (1939)

Candy shops in Miami – Sweetest Day (October 1938)
A visit to the North Carolina candy shop
In November 1939, Mrs Rosa Wilkins of Durham, North Carolina was buying candy to send to her daughter at school (Photo by Marion Post Wolcott)
Schrafft’s in NYC
Schrafft’s candy counter, 1221 Madison Avenue in New York City on December 29, 1939 (Photo by Gottscho-Schleisner)
Candy & boys in Circleville, Ohio
Two boys standing in front of candy store window in Circleville, Ohio during the summer of 1938 (Photo by Ben Shahn)