Before we bought everything online, people had to go to their local grocery stores to get everything from food and drink to soaps and bakeware. These old pictures are reminiscent of a simpler time with friendlier cashiers and better clothes. Read on to see these nostalgic shots from yesteryear…
Clean Mouth
Grocery stores sell everything you need, whether that’s a week’s worth of groceries, a bar of soap, or as this lady clearly needs… toothbrushes!
Soda or Pop?
Kids have always loved sugar, and there’s no better sugar drink than soda. Or is it called pop? This little guy prefers 7-UP, but his mom is more of a Pepsi-Cola fan.
New Potatoes
Back in the good old days, you could get oranges for a penny, grapefruits for a nickel, and six pounds of new potatoes for 23 cents!
Publix Parking
Publix Supermarket: Where Shopping is a Pleasure! Good luck finding a spot to park though!
Cashing Out
This 70s style store is just opening, but there are already some eager customers ready to start shopping!
Dress Up
Though we might think of grocery shopping as one of the more boring parts of everyday living, these women know that style is important no matter what you’re doing!
Small Town Living
Whether you’re in the big city or the middle of nowhere, there’s always a grocery store nearby for the locals. This market is likely a town staple!
Shopping is a Pleasure
Grocery store designs might have changed, but as long as there are shopping carts and fancy stackings of products, any store will do!
Crowded
The worst part about grocery shopping is the crowds. Going before or after work almost guarantees a long line at the register, even back then!
Pyrex Decanter!
Can you believe that this pyrex product is only 79 cents? Now that’s a good deal!
So 70s Cashier
Lots of teenagers work at their local grocery store during the school year as a way to make a little extra cash on the side. She’s gotta pay for that Coca-Cola!
Bag Boy
If you’re not the cashier, you might be stuck as the bag boy. Be careful not to put the eggs on the bottom, please!
Celebrity Status
This photo has some history to it. That’s Jayne Mansfield, strutting the aisles of this Las Vegas grocery store, looking as Las Vegas-like as possible.
Cheddar Taters?
If you want throwback foods, look no further. Sure, there are some classics like Oreos and Fritos, but RyKrsip? Flings? Cheddar Taters?
Cookie Monster
This mom and daughter duo know that the best part of grocery shopping is picking out some sweet treats for the week!
Fashion Forward
Whether you’re walking through the streets or the canned soup aisle, it never hurts to make an effort with your appearance, just like this mom did!
Full Cart
This lady has a full night ahead of her. She’s going to make a meal of Suzy Q’s, Mueller’s sea-shells, and corn flakes!
Nixon Family
Here, Pat Nixon and kids roam the aisles looking for their dinner ingredients. Politician families, they’re just like us!
Thriftmart
Thriftmart provided some of the best steals and deals on the food market. The only thing it didn’t have was good parking!
No Buyers
Small grocery stores got hit hard with the rise of one-stop supermarkets. Supermarkets boasted lower prices and better deals, so many stopped visiting their local grocer.
Grocery Guy
Though women were seen as the homemakers and shoppers for a majority of US history, some men like this guy were a little ahead of the curve.
Brother Dearest
These brothers are helping out mom, or at least, they were trying to! Maybe they got a little distracted…
Mayo Fort
Who knows how long it took to build this thing? Definitely impressive, but don’t take one from the middle, please.
Low Prices!
These women are out looking for steals and deals, and this shop is boasting brand name quality at low prices! I spy 30% savings…
Owl Good
This New York market has an adorable mascot in the window to sell their Red River Valley Potatoes. Who could pass that deal up?
Sun Kissed Sunkist
What’s better than a seedless orange juice? These two guys standing proudly next to their grocery display. That, or 22% more vitamin C.
Ralphs
Ralphs is still a huge grocery chain, but the parking lots look a little less classic than this picture did!
Hustle and Bustle
Everyone wants a chance to get their food for the week, but there’s no reason to be grouchy about it. Look at these happy customers!
Cigs Inside
Cigarettes used to be way more common, and stores sold them to anyone who was buying. Do you think this store sells Juul pods now?
Family Affair
These little girls broke up the boys club by running in to look for their father. Move aside!
Shopkeepers
These guys are keeping the shop safe by sitting on the front porch. Or, maybe they’re just hanging out. Either way, they’re having fun!
Free Groceries?
If you go to buy your groceries, but no one is at the register, does that mean it’s free?
Pretty Uniforms
Piggly Wiggly girls were known for looking pretty at the register. Here, a store manager checks the outfits before the store opens.
Olden Times
One woman goes up to pay at the register, just like we do today. Times really haven’t changed, have they?
Empty Store
This photo, taken in 1918, shows something that has faded out of modern designs. We no longer have turnstiles for the grocery store!
Backyard
Though the front of grocery stores are very pretty and pristine, usually the back lots are a little less beautiful.
Roll Up
Some women like to dress up for the grocery store trip, while others use that time to get ready for later. Rollers on, ladies!
New Ride
Though this image might suggest otherwise, cars were never an okay alternative for shopping carts. Sorry lady!
Father-Son Shopping
Who says mom is the only one doing the housework? This dad brings his son to do some food shopping, and both seem to be enjoying it!
Dog Days
Even back in the day, dogs weren’t always allowed in the stores. Don’t worry though, this gentleman seems to be keeping them company!
James Dean
James Dean needs to eat too! Here he is looking for some grub. Guess the food on set doesn’t really meet expectations…
First Day
These shopkeepers are excitedly waiting for their first customers on opening day. Everything is ready for business!
Closing Time
Closing and locking up can be the best parts of the cashier’s day. This guy is probably excited to get home…
Patiently Waiting
These kids are patiently waiting for their mom to leave the grocery store, or more likely, stop talking to her friend she saw in the grocery store…
I Am An American
Is there anything more classic America than an old car, a grocery store, and city living?
Checking Out
This teen cashier to ringing someone up. Just the coffee, Tide detergent, and huge, weird watermelon then?
Really Sell It
These owners are excitedly starting a deal with Tide and Ivory Snow. You’ll have the cleanest clothes in town!
Reaching Out
Moms in a grocery store deserve a gold medal for keeping track of their rambunctious kids while also finding the best prices.
Family Business
A lot of people made selling groceries their family business. Here, new shop owners are employing their young children to get in on the action.
Coke Tower
Coca-Cola was the biggest seller on the market. People used to buy glass bottles for the whole family! This promotion shows two sellers very happy with the commercial results!
Home Grocery
Emphasis on the home. This grocery store was out of an abandoned suburban house. If it works, it works!
Friendly Competition
These competitors joined forces for one iconic photo. They don’t look too happy, I wonder who’s store did better?
Shopper In Training
This little girl is getting ready for a lifetime of grocery runs. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of milk!
Get In, Get Out
The holiday season is great for sales, bad for buying. These shops could not be more crowded. Ask Santa for another cashier line!
Frozen Section
These ladies are happy to be at the store. Maybe they’re smiling because they know with frozen food, they won’t have to come back for a while!
Service with a Smile
Happy employees mean happy customers! This cashier is excited to check out this person’s groceries, or at least she’s acting like it!
Man Behind the Counter
This woman is checking out, but some products have always been kept behind the counter. You have to get those oats from this guy!
Register Girls
These girls are excited to end their shift at the local grocery store. Notice the boxes, an alternative to the “paper or plastic” question!
Every Generation
Whether you’re old, young, or very young, everyone needs to swing by the local supermarket every once in a while. These guys get that.
Cookie Parade
I’m sorry, did you say cookie parade? That’s the only kind of parade we should be having, all the time.
Handy Helpers
While some people drive to the grocer’s, others have to walk. Luckily, local boys would bring wagons to help carry bags (for payment, of course!).
Pyramid Schemes
In the off hours of a grocery store, employees make sure that everything looks pretty but accessible for the shoppers. That means pyramids…a lot of pyramids.
Coffee Roasters
This guy means business…the coffee business that is! Coffee has always been a necessity, but nowadays, we’d rather go to Starbucks!
Ice for Sale
This guy is selling ice and just about everything else! Whatever you need, he’s got it…as long as it’s a PET product…