While most of us grew up with supermarkets and shopping malls already existing; some of us remember the family-run grocery stores where your options were often limited. Others might even have had the chance to grow their own food, but once general stores grew bigger and became more convenient, there was no way back. Still, the consumerist lifestyle as we know it didn't happen overnight, and we got where we are now gradually.

Bored Panda has collected a series of vintage photos that take you through different grocery stores across America in the olden days. It’s safe to say we came a long way from grocery shopping in our Sunday best to browsing the aisles in our PJs. But of course, it is only one of many ways shopping malls have changed. From wider aisles and more elegant stores to small homegrown businesses, these cool photos reflect a very vintage life. Take a look at all the interesting photos from a long time ago below and don’t forget to upvote for your favs!

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#1

Country Store On Dirt Road. Note The Kerosene Pump On The Right And The Gasoline Pump On The Left. Brother Of Store Owner Stands In Doorway. Gordonton, North Carolina, 1939

Vintage photo of a rustic grocery store with people on the porch, surrounded by old advertising signs.

Dorothea Lange Report

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    #2

    The Grocery Store Of The Late 19th Century, USA

    Vintage grocery store with high shelves filled with canned goods and a woman at the counter from early 1900s.

    skipperbob Report

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    #3

    1980, When Every Soft Drink Bottle On The Shelf Was Still Glass

    Vintage grocery store scene with woman and two kids choosing sodas from a shelf.

    Dave Aldrich Report

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    #4

    Cashiers At The Piggly Wiggly Continental, Encino, California, 1962

    Vintage photo of grocery store cashiers in uniform, lined up in a 1960s store with "Pastries" sign in the background.

    notbob1959 Report

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    #5

    Grocery Shopping, 1960s

    Vintage photo of women in a grocery store with curlers, surrounded by shelves of boxed goods.

    skipperbob Report

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    #6

    Publix Supermarkets Showcased Their Wide Aisles And A Self-Service Dairy Case By Driving A Shopper Around A New Store In A Tiny Car, Circa 1957

    Vintage grocery store scene with a small car parked inside next to the cheese section.

    Publix Supermarkets Report

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    #7

    A Large Sign Reading "I Am An American" Placed In The Window Of A Store, On December 8, The Day After Pearl Harbor. The Business Was Owned By The Matsuda Family. The Store Was Closed Following Orders To Persons Of Japanese Descent To Evacuate From Certain West Coast Areas

    Vintage photo of a grocery store with a classic car and an "I am an American" sign.

    Dorothea Lange Report

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    #8

    Interior Of The Original Piggly Wiggly Self-Service Grocery Store, Memphis, Tennessee. The First Self Service Grocery Store, Opened 1916. Picture From 1918

    Vintage grocery store interior with high shelves and a central checkout area, showcasing early 20th-century retail design.

    Clarence H. Saunders Report

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    #9

    Publix Market In Sarasota, Florida, 1961

    Vintage grocery store with classic cars parked outside, showcasing mid-century design.

    State Archives of Florida/Steinmetz Report

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    #10

    Two Women Shopping In An American Supermarket, Circa 1970

    Two women shopping in a vintage grocery store aisle filled with various packaged goods.

    H. Armstrong Roberts Report

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    #11

    Shopping In Coop Store, Greenbelt, Maryland, 1938

    Man shopping for vegetables with a baby in a stroller at a vintage grocery store.

    Marion Post Wolcott Report

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    #12

    My Great Great Grandparents At The Counter Of Their Grocery Store In Bremerton, Washington (1925)

    Vintage grocery store interior with shelves full of canned goods and two people behind the counter.

    PavementBlues Report

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    #13

    James Dean Shopping For Groceries In Marfa, TX, 1955

    Vintage photo of a man shopping in a 1950s grocery store aisle with shelves of canned goods.

    Richard C. Miller Report

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    #14

    Jitney Jungle Checkout Clerk Billy Barineau In Tallahassee, 1962

    Vintage grocery store scene with a cashier operating a register beside canned goods and a watermelon.

    Tallahassee Democrat collection Report

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    #15

    My Great Grandfather Standing In His Grocery Store, Evansville, IN, 1960

    Vintage grocery store interior with a man in a tie, surrounded by shelves of products and a produce section in black and white.

    CincyNat Report

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    #16

    Man And Dogs In Front Of Grocery Store, Robinson, Illinois, 1940

    Man sitting with dogs outside a vintage grocery store, surrounded by baskets and crates of produce.

    John Vachon Report

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    #17

    Children In Front Of Grocery Store, Chicago, Illinois, 1941

    Two children in a vintage grocery store display with fresh fruits and vegetables in the background.

    Russell Lee Report

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    #18

    Supermarket In 1960s

    Vintage grocery store with shoppers and retro displays, showcasing nostalgic shopping experience.

    the60sbazaar Report

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    #19

    Working Mother Jennie Magill Shopping With Her Children At The Super Market, 1956

    Vintage grocery store scene with a woman shopping and a child standing in a cart.

    Grey Villet Report

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    #20

    My 2nd Great Grandmother Opening Her Store In Cincinnati, Ohio

    Vintage grocery store scene with two workers behind a counter displaying Tide and Ivory Snow products.

    Edonlin2004 Report

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    #21

    Home Turned Into Grocery Store, Omaha, Nebraska, 1938

    Vintage grocery store with nostalgic signage, featuring brands like Coca-Cola and Salada Tea, in a rustic setting.

    John Vachon Report

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    #22

    The Super Giant Supermarket In Rockville, Maryland, 1964

    Vintage grocery store bustling with shoppers at checkout, showcasing a lively scene from the past.

    John Dominis Report

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    #23

    Working At A General Store, 1973

    Young woman in vintage grocery store with a red scale, surrounded by various products.

    Meunderwears Report

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    #24

    Tulip Town Market, Grove Center By James Edward Westcott, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, July 4, 1945

    Women at vintage grocery store cash registers surrounded by wooden crates and signage.

    National Archives, General Records of the Department of Energy Report

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    #25

    Buying Groceries In Store At Blankenship, Indiana, 1938

    Vintage grocery store scene with clerk in apron assisting a female customer holding canned goods.

    Arthur Rothstein Report

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    #26

    Food Shopping And Mini-Skirts, 1970

    Vintage grocery store scene with woman shopping, child in a cart, surrounded by retro food packaging on shelves.

    Brett Streutker Report

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    #27

    Three Women Talking In Frozen Food Aisle Of Supermarket, 1950s

    Three women with shopping carts in a vintage grocery store, standing near the frozen meat and fish section.

    Camerique/ClassicStock Report

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    #28

    Mayfair Supermarket Cookie Display, 1950s

    Vintage grocery store cookie display with clown theme, featuring Weston’s products and a "Cookie Parade" sign.

    Roadsidepictures Report

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    #29

    Proprietor Of Small Grocery Store, Jeanerette, Louisiana, 1938

    Man in vintage grocery store, resting on a porch next to a Coca-Cola sign promoting daily coffee roasting.

    Russell Lee Report

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    #30

    Kroger Grocery Store, Lexington Kentucky, 1947, By Lafayette Studio

    Vintage grocery store bustling with shoppers and clerks, showcasing an array of canned goods and fresh produce.

    michaelconfoy Report

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    #31

    1920 Interior View Of A Chicago Grocery

    Vintage grocery store with stacked canned goods and a clerk writing behind the counter.

    twixonurface Report

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    #32

    Shopping In The Cooperative Grocery Store, Greenbelt, Maryland, 1942 (Colorized)

    Vintage grocery store scene with a woman and child shopping, surrounded by colorful cracker and cookie boxes.

    shorpy.com Report

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    #33

    Kings Supermarket, 1950s

    Vintage grocery store with a smiling cashier, holding a can, surrounded by 1950s products like RITZ and bread.

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    #34

    Interior Of A Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, 1959

    Vintage grocery store interior with Pyrex decanters, red checkered floor, and shelves filled with household items.

    14thCenturyHood Report

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    #35

    Box-Boy In A Small Rural Grocery Store In Southeast Idaho, 1972

    Vintage grocery store employee wearing glasses and apron, standing by display shelves filled with old product packaging.

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    #36

    Dairy Counter At Clark's, A Grocery, Drug, Sundries, And Department Store And Lunch Counter, Charlotte, NC, 1962 Or 1963

    Vintage grocery store scene with a man in uniform, featuring milk cartons, eggs, and ice for sale sign.

    General Negative Collection, North Carolina State Archives Report

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    #37

    Scene In The Cooperative Store At Irwinville Farms, Georgia, 1938

    Vintage grocery store scene with customers and shelves stocked with canned goods.

    John Vachon Report

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    #38

    Grocery Store Parking Lot, West Covina, CA, 1959

    Vintage photo of a Thriftimart grocery store with 1950s cars in the parking lot and retro signage.

    KubrickIsMyCopilot Report

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    #39

    At Nixon, Wife Of VP, Grocery Shopping With Her Daughters Julie And Tricia, 1958

    Vintage grocery store scene with a woman and children shopping among colorful shelves.

    Hank Walker Report

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    #40

    Grocery Cart, 1974

    A woman with a full shopping cart in a vintage grocery store aisle.

    14thCenturyHood Report

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    #41

    Vintage Trade Ad With Ruffles Potato Chips, Flings, Etc. At A Checkout

    Vintage grocery store scene with two women, products like chips and crackers on the counter.

    Jon Anderson Report

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    #42

    Delivery Vans, 1942 Style, Line Up Outside A Greenbelt, Maryland, Grocery Store Awaiting Customers

    Children outside vintage grocery store with a wagon full of groceries, showcasing rare historical shopping moments.

    Ann Rosener Report

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    #43

    Interior Of Northland Foods, Thief River Falls, MN, In The 70's

    Vintage grocery store with retro checkout counters and shoppers browsing, capturing a nostalgic shopping experience.

    Pennington County Historical Society Report

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    #44

    Grand Grocery Company, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1942

    Vintage grocery store front with fruit and potato prices displayed, surrounded by classic product advertisements.

    John Vachon Report

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    #45

    Ralph's Supermarket, Los Angeles, 1942

    Vintage grocery store with classic cars parked outside a Ralphs, capturing mid-20th century shopping vibes.

    I_POST_ON_WEDNESDAYS Report

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    #46

    U-Pak Kmart No Frills Supermarket Pontiac, Michigan, 1979

    Vintage grocery store scene with women shopping, featuring low price signs and stocked shelves.

    Phillip Pessar Report

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    #47

    Duke's Mayonnaise Jars Assembled In A Display At Cozart's Grocery Store, 1965

    Vintage grocery store interior with three men near a display of mayonnaise cans.

    Joyner Library Report

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    #48

    Sunkist Grocery Store Display, 1940s

    Two men in vintage attire stand beside a Sunkist oranges display, showcasing rare vintage grocery store marketing.

    Dan Goodsell Report

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    #49

    Grocery Store Window, Dubuque, Iowa, 1940

    Vintage grocery store window displaying Red River Valley potatoes with an owl illustration.

    John Vachon Report

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    #50

    At The Grocery Store, 1950s

    Woman in a vintage grocery store organizing a product display, surrounded by shelves of canned goods.

    Report

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    #51

    Kroger Grocery Store, Lexington, Kentucky, 1947

    Vintage grocery store scene with shoppers, scales, and products, featuring retro Kroger signs and Life magazine advertisement.

    michaelconfoy Report

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    #52

    Cooperative Store At Greenbelt, Maryland, 1938

    Child sitting in a shopping cart in a vintage grocery store aisle, surrounded by products.

    Marion Post Wolcott Report

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    #53

    Store Operated By John Zabala Until 1979

    Vintage grocery store with stocked shelves and natural light through large windows, showcasing rare design elements.

    Carl Fleischhauer Report

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    #54

    Cigarette And Cigar Displays (Camel, L&M, Etc...) At Clark's, A Grocery, Drug, Sundries, And Department Store And Lunch Counter, Charlotte, NC, 1962 Or 1963

    Vintage grocery store cigarette department with Salem, Winston, and Camel products displayed on shelves.

    General Negative Collection, North Carolina State Archives Report

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    #55

    Boy On Porch Of General Store, Roseland, Virginia, 1938

    Boy sitting on porch of old grocery store, surrounded by vintage advertisements.

    John Vachon Report

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    #56

    Rear Of Grocery Store, Baltimore, Maryland, 1938

    Vintage grocery store with 7Up and tobacco ads on a brick wall, showcasing rare promotional posters.

    John Vachon Report

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    #57

    My Dad Doing Groceries During His High School Exchange Year In Michigan, 1962

    Vintage photo of a man in a 1960s grocery store aisle, pushing a cart near canned goods and retro signage.

    mk-bn Report

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    #58

    Houchens Grocery Store, Kentucky, C. 1950s

    Vintage grocery store scene with people browsing aisles stocked with various packaged goods.

    ProbablyNotKelly Report

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    #59

    Interior View Of A Ralphs Grocery Store At An Unknown Location In Los Angeles In November 1943, Showing The Check-Out Counter And Cash Register

    Vintage grocery store interior with canned goods and an old cash register on display.

    Los Angeles Public Library Report

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