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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!

#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

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

Dorothea Lange Report

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Chris Pitch
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the best thing about this picture is the fact that different races are getting on fine.

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#2

The Grocery Store Of The Late 19th Century, USA

The Grocery Store Of The Late 19th Century, USA

skipperbob Report

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Vicky Zar
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those people would get a heart attack if they were transported into our time

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#3

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

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

Dave Aldrich Report

#4

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

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

notbob1959 Report

#5

Grocery Shopping, 1960s

Grocery Shopping, 1960s

skipperbob Report

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Tricia F- S
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was when we had to be PERFECTLY groomed for the lord and master to get home

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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

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

Publix Supermarkets Report

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Víctor Alfonso García Olmo
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Spain, it was a SEAT 600. It was a small car, to the spanish people was like the Ford-T to de US-citizens, our first car!!. My mom had got one. We went to the beach, two moms and 4 kids inside, with all the beach materials!. It´s true! I swear

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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

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

Dorothea Lange Report

#8

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

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

Clarence H. Saunders Report

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Randomcthulu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've shopped there, it's still open in the same location, but modernized of course

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#10

Two Women Shopping In An American Supermarket, Circa 1970

Two Women Shopping In An American Supermarket, Circa 1970

H. Armstrong Roberts Report

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#11

Shopping In Coop Store, Greenbelt, Maryland, 1938

Shopping In Coop Store, Greenbelt, Maryland, 1938

Marion Post Wolcott Report

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Cpt Quirk
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow progressive male did the grocery shopping and pushed the pram around....

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#12

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

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

PavementBlues Report

#13

James Dean Shopping For Groceries In Marfa, TX, 1955

James Dean Shopping For Groceries In Marfa, TX, 1955

Richard C. Miller Report

#14

Jitney Jungle Checkout Clerk Billy Barineau In Tallahassee, 1962

Jitney Jungle Checkout Clerk Billy Barineau In Tallahassee, 1962

Tallahassee Democrat collection Report

#15

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

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

CincyNat Report

#16

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

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

John Vachon Report

#17

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

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

Russell Lee Report

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Cpt Quirk
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's great u could leave a kid outside. They were disciplined enough to not run away. And at least they wouldn't get kidnapped.

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#18

Jayne Mansfield Grocery Shopping In Las Vegas, 1959

Jayne Mansfield Grocery Shopping In Las Vegas, 1959

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Phoebe Bean
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where to start here? Traumatized Chihuahuas, girl in bathing suit and... what did Jayne buy?

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#19

Supermarket In 1960s

Supermarket In 1960s

the60sbazaar Report

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Troux
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a frequent Publix shopper, I know they kept those floors for at least 40 years. Must be durable!

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#20

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

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

Grey Villet Report

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#21

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

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

Edonlin2004 Report

#22

Home Turned Into Grocery Store, Omaha, Nebraska, 1938

Home Turned Into Grocery Store, Omaha, Nebraska, 1938

John Vachon Report

#23

The Super Giant Supermarket In Rockville, Maryland, 1964

The Super Giant Supermarket In Rockville, Maryland, 1964

John Dominis Report

#26

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

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

National Archives, General Records of the Department of Energy Report

#27

Buying Groceries In Store At Blankenship, Indiana, 1938

Buying Groceries In Store At Blankenship, Indiana, 1938

Arthur Rothstein Report

#29

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

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

Camerique/ClassicStock Report

#30

Mayfair Supermarket Cookie Display, 1950s

Mayfair Supermarket Cookie Display, 1950s

Roadsidepictures Report

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Emma B
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"COOKIE PARADE"!!!! That is what I'm calling dessert from now on, no matter what!

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#31

Proprietor Of Small Grocery Store, Jeanerette, Louisiana, 1938

Proprietor Of Small Grocery Store, Jeanerette, Louisiana, 1938

Russell Lee Report

#32

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

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

michaelconfoy Report

#34

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

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

shorpy.com Report

#36

Interior Of A Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, 1959

Interior Of A Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, 1959

14thCenturyHood Report

#37

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

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

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#38

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

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

General Negative Collection, North Carolina State Archives Report

#39

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

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

John Vachon Report

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Debra Lewis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man looks like he’s saying “How dare you people charge 28 cents for this box of aspirin?!” ..... “Well, sir I just work here”

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#41

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

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

Hank Walker Report

#42

Grocery Cart, 1974

Grocery Cart, 1974

14thCenturyHood Report

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Kuma Tenshi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No no no, no no no!! Dammit, Carl!! Nobody puts their s**t in all w***y nilly like that!!

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Grazina Strolia
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That Schweppes! I remember peeling that weird foamy wrapper off those when I was a kid!

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EHops
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It'd be nice to be able to afford that kind of grocery bill today

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Kevin Donegan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The packaging! She probably ended up with a couple pounds of food and the rest was packaging.

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Grace Robertson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The size of products are so big in compare of today's products. I forgotten the size of them.

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Calypso poet
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Canned Hawaiin fruit punch was a big treat back then!

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April Simnel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, OK, this is where my memory kicks in. Would've been 4/5 in '74. And when we went grocery shopping (at Kohl's usually), we got many of these same brands (except we were a Coca-Cola house). I remember Minute Rice and Hawaiian Punch, and the Kraft mac and cheese, and the Chun King fake Chinese food that my mom would add ground beef or chicken to. And a kid would help us put everything into the electric blue Chevy Impala to go home. Maybe with a pit stop to SuperAmerica to buy gas. almost 45 years ago now. Geez, I'm definitely middle aged. So much processed food in that cart, but with fewer chemicals than in the 80s onward, and without high fructose corn syrup, so hardly anyone was fat. And no one ate Hostess or junk food every day like people do now. To keep myself from getting diabetes, I shop the perimeter of the grocery store these days, where all the fresh food is, and no Hostess sweets, either. I preferred Hostess fruit pies to the cake-like stuff when I was a kid. Team Pie!

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Mare Freed
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost every one of those brands are still around. Only Chun King is gone (it wasn't very good, as I recall).

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Brett Delong
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That box of Suzi Q's is probably still in someone's pantry awaiting somebody to take the last one.

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Ashley Wright
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No difference in DEAD FOOD back then and today......So much prepackaged DEAD FOO, if you can call it food.

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Stina Kolling
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like an ad--every single item is a prepackaged commercial brand, nothing generic, nothing 'bulk', nothing fresh.

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Beks Czar
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then Tetris came along and grocery carts never looked the sloppy same! haha....... oh is that just me?

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Keila Crespo
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I barely can afford a third full of a shopping cart these days...

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Marlene Jones
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha canned chop suey dinner. I bought one a couple years back. Blech. How did we eat that c**p.

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Chelle Jones
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minute Rice, Corn Flakes, Hawaiian Punch, Kraft Mac & Cheese same old items. LOL

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Donald Holder
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Remember when this cart full would cost you less the 60 bucks.

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Brian Leahy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's see, starch, sugar, caffeine, starch, sugar, sugar, starch....

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Collin Lyle
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about a nice Hawaiian Punch? Pow! That commercial would be banned today. (You can just see the can of Hawaiian Punch I the front of the cart)

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Chicago Kitty
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not the food police or anything but there's nothing but carbs and sugar in that cart.

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SBW71
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow it's actually cool to see some of the brand names in the cart that are still around today

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Data1001
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whew, that is rather precarious... just breathe on that stack too hard and the whole thing would come tumbling down. ;-)

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BobbyK
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still say - the only thing that hasn't changed - - the shopping cart.

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#43

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

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

Jon Anderson Report

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Troux
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Screaming Yellow Zonkers! That's a throwback! I don't know what Cheddar Taters are, but I need them in my life even if I don't need them in my bloodstream.

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#44

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

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

Ann Rosener Report

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spirit wolf
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They had something to do, they learned to work and have fun with friends... unlike your spoiled rotten kids who are glued to thier phones and video games 24/7... so to hell with your child labor BS

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#45

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

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

Pennington County Historical Society Report

#46

Grand Grocery Company, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1942

Grand Grocery Company, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1942

John Vachon Report

#47

Ralph's Supermarket, Los Angeles, 1942

Ralph's Supermarket, Los Angeles, 1942

I_POST_ON_WEDNESDAYS Report

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Emma B
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even back then people didn't know how to park properly. Look at the car second to the right of those people walking to the store; it's parked over the line lol

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#48

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

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

Phillip Pessar Report

#49

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

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

Joyner Library Report

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JillVille
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a home that ran a Fire Safety business. The first thing I noticed here was the possible sprinkler blockage by stacking this so close to the ceiling. Then I realize there aren't any sprinklers showing at all... hahaha of course that's what I'd notice. Ugh!

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#50

Sunkist Grocery Store Display, 1940s

Sunkist Grocery Store Display, 1940s

Dan Goodsell Report

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anarkzie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The maskcot looks evil, like it's poisoned the orange and is trying to get you to eat it.

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#51

Grocery Store Window, Dubuque, Iowa, 1940

Grocery Store Window, Dubuque, Iowa, 1940

John Vachon Report

#52

At The Grocery Store, 1950s

At The Grocery Store, 1950s

Report

#53

Kroger Grocery Store, Lexington, Kentucky, 1947

Kroger Grocery Store, Lexington, Kentucky, 1947

michaelconfoy Report

#54

Cooperative Store At Greenbelt, Maryland, 1938

Cooperative Store At Greenbelt, Maryland, 1938

Marion Post Wolcott Report

#55

Store Operated By John Zabala Until 1979

Store Operated By John Zabala Until 1979

Carl Fleischhauer Report

#56

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

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

General Negative Collection, North Carolina State Archives Report

#57

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

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

John Vachon Report

#59

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

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

mk-bn Report

#60

Houchens Grocery Store, Kentucky, C. 1950s

Houchens Grocery Store, Kentucky, C. 1950s

ProbablyNotKelly Report

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#61

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

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

Los Angeles Public Library Report

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Rich Auntie Skeleton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The CPI Inflation calculator says that $.67 in November 1943 is $9.69 in today's money. WOW!

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