Experts Note That Collectors Still Seek Out 5 Candy Bars No Longer Produced
The world of discontinued candy bars has evolved into a fascinating collectors’ market where nostalgia meets significant monetary value. Devoted enthusiasts continue pursuing these sweet treasures decades after their disappearance from store shelves. The combination of childhood memories and scarcity has transformed certain discontinued treats into highly coveted collectibles, with prices that would surprise even the most seasoned candy lover.
The Reggie Bar: Baseball Legend’s Caramel Creation
The Reggie Bar, tied to baseball legend Reggie Jackson, generated eleven million dollars in the New York area alone during its first year, equivalent to roughly fifty million dollars in today’s money. During the 1978 Yankees’ home opener against the Chicago White Sox on April 13, free Reggie Bars were handed out as a promotional giveaway to fans at the gate. The candy featured a caramel center packed with peanuts and coated in milk chocolate, originally based on the Wayne Bun bar from the 1940s.
The Reggie Bar was discontinued as quickly as it had appeared in 1981 when Jackson signed with the California Angels and corporate changes eliminated the product. The new Reggie Bars hit shelves at a nostalgia candy store in Yankees territory on Long Island in February 2023, and within a year, they were selling in 2,000 locations across the country. Collectors can find unopened containers for sale on eBay, marked up as high as $99.99 a pop.
Marathon Bar: The Eight-Inch Wonder That Lasted Forever
Composed of only chocolate and caramel, Mars Marathon bars debuted in 1973 and were pulled from store shelves in 1981. The chewy milk chocolate covered caramel candy bar was long and braided, giving it a unique texture that would take forever to get through, with the ultra chewy bar measuring 8 inches of goodness, which they proved on the packaging. The brand marketed itself with memorable cowboy-themed commercials featuring the tagline “lasts a good long time.”
It remains highly requested by nostalgic consumers despite being discontinued for more than four decades. Adam Sandler says he can still get his favorite candy bar, even though it’s discontinued, noting “They don’t make them anymore”. Americans who miss their beloved Marathon bar would do well to grab themselves a Curly Wurly, as you can buy a pack of 20 Curly Wurly bars for less than $20.
Seven Up Candy Bar: The Multi-Flavored Marvel
The Seven Up Candy Bar was introduced by the Pearson Candy Company in the 1930s and featured seven individual squares filled with different flavors. Seven Up Bar featured seven layers filled with different flavors, including coconut, butterscotch, caramel, and cherry cream, with Pearson Candy calling these sections “pillows”. This innovative design made each bite a unique experience for candy enthusiasts of the era.
The Seven Up Candy Bar lasted many decades but was pulled 1979 due to trademark disputes with the American Bottling Company – the then owner of the 7 Up soda brand. High manufacturing costs and trademark disputes with 7 Up soda forced the candy’s discontinuation after nearly 50 years. The complex production process and legal challenges ultimately made this multi-flavored treat financially unsustainable for manufacturers.
Summit Cookie Bar: Mars’ Temperature-Sensitive Innovation
Summit Cookie Bars were Mars’ ambitious 1978 candy-cookie hybrid that combined crispy wafers, peanuts, and chocolate but suffered from a fatal flaw: they melted too easily in normal temperatures. Despite generating $40 million in revenue and innovative marketing campaigns, Mars discontinued the product in the early 1980s. The technical challenges with temperature stability made this product impractical for widespread distribution in various climates.
The candy was discontinued in the early 1980s, and despite Leaf Brands acquiring the trademark in 2012 with plans to revive it, technical challenges have prevented its return to market as of 2025. Summit Bar featured two wafers covered in peanuts and milk chocolate, creating a light and fluffy texture that health nuts from the 1980s found appealing, but sadly the candy bar could not make it to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Brach’s Maple Nut Goodies: The Recent Loss
After customers couldn’t find any of this candy on store shelves, Brach’s confirmed on Facebook in February 2024 that the Maple Nut Goodies had been discontinued. Lifelong fans of the candies weren’t ready to let it go, though, and the number of people who’ve signed a Change.org petition urging for the candy’s return seems to have steadily increased. This relatively recent discontinuation has sparked immediate collector interest among devoted fans.
At least one online retailer still appeared to have a few bags left in stock for sale in early 2025, though most appeared to be completely sold out. If the candy was part of your treasured memories with loved ones across multiple generations, you may want to do your own search for remaining bags. The maple and nut combination created a distinctive flavor profile that many considered irreplaceable in the modern candy landscape.
These discontinued candy bars represent more than just sweet treats – they embody cultural moments and childhood memories that collectors desperately want to preserve. While some have found new life through revival efforts or similar products, the original versions remain prized possessions for those lucky enough to find them. The passionate community of collectors ensures these confectionery legends will never be truly forgotten, even as their physical presence becomes increasingly rare.
