Every Kid Had One In The '60s — The Retro Storage & Decor Worth Hunting For At Thrift Stores

Every child in a supermarket in 1963 would see it before they ever reached the register: the Brach's Pick-A-Mix display, a wall of open bins with a stack of little white bags to collect candy priced by the pound. At the time, the candy was the main attraction, and no one even gave a second thought to the packaging. Today, collectors prize that aesthetic many times more than what it held, embracing it for style and function.

E.J. Brach & Sons started in 1904, when German immigrant Emil Brach scraped together $1,000, his life savings, to open an 18-by-65-foot Chicago candy shop called the Palace of Sweets. His strategy was to mass produce candy so he could sell it at 20 cents a pound while competitors charged 50. It worked so well that by 1918 the operation turned out 1,000 tons weekly. In 1958, Brach revolutionized bulk candy sales again with the Pick-A-Mix. The display stands featured roughly 40 open bins, and small metal scoops. No need to only keep an eye out for the Pick-A-Mix, either — the company's sheer volume of production means that there are still decades of tins, countertop racks, tin tackers, clocks, and store signage out there, too. 

If you already scan the tin aisle when you hit up the thrift store in search of rare vintage tins, you should also keep an eye out for everything Brach's. Values swing wildly, which is exactly what makes thrifting them worthwhile. A Brach's Christmas tin recently sold for $34.99 on eBay, while a rotating metal candy display sold for $285.00. Naturally, small-run promotional items consistently outperform the tins.

If you see a Brach's item with the classic script and orange and brown color blocks, that dates the piece to the mid-century sweet spot. Later corporate rebrands often don't have the same value. Beyond tins, look for wire countertop display racks, embossed "Brach's Fine Candies" metal signs, coin banks, two-sided lighted Pick-A-Mix signs, glass candy bowls, and seasonal items like the Halloween candy bags. Unsurprisingly, condition drives pricing: Items with bright original paint, an intact lid, and minimal rust are more valuable.

These overlooked objects that every house had in the '60s are now getting a second act as décor, which is why Brach's containers are now finding new life storing plenty more than just candy. A Brach's tin is capable of holding tea bags, coffee pods, treats, jewelry, or craft supplies, and looks better doing it than anything you could buy new. As for the original displays, they can make a great mug holder. They also often pair well with other popular '60s decor you can find at the thrift store to fully accentuate your retro style.