KUALA LUMPUR: Looking at various iconic snacks like iced gem, choco bear, and airplane-shaped treats popular in the 80s and 90s certainly evokes vintage vibes, and nostalgic memories of childhood.
Snacks nestled in boxes alongside toys, sour candies shaped like coins, and an array of timeless treats seem to withstand the test of time, remaining vivid and unforgettable in our memories.
Despite the passage of time and the emergence of numerous food innovations, classic snacks endure with their unchanged packaging and familiar illustrations, continuing to be sought after and cherished across generations.
For these reasons photographer Amirul Azril Ahmad Azmai, 29, chose these iconic snacks as props for his wedding ceremony at home, adding an extra layer of nostalgia to the vintage theme he selected.
“I created a small kiosk resembling a grocery store displaying biscuits in tins, candies, and chips hanging in large plastic bags, especially for our young guests,” he explained.
“This kiosk evokes fond memories of snacks and candies I enjoyed as a child. I also used other props such as banners with Jawi script and vintage vehicles,” he told Bernama.
The nostalgic ambience evoked by these timeless snacks has become a popular choice among event organisers for various occasions, including birthdays and open houses, where kiosks are often reserved to offer such snacks to delight guests.
Fatein Azrin, 32, who owns a business called “Kunyahan” providing such kiosks for the past five years, emphasised that offering these snacks creates a cosy atmosphere and puts guests at ease.
She highlighted that the company provides a range of ‘old school’ snacks, including high-quality iced gems, adding that she personally believes that these items evoke nostalgic memories for people of all ages.
“My business is rooted in childhood memories. It takes me back to the cherished moments when I would ask my grandfather for bottled soda with ice, which used to cost only 20 sen, in a plastic packet tied at the side,” she reminisced.
These timeless snacks have also proven to be a boon for online entrepreneur Hasana Zaini, 34, facilitating the growth of her business and leading to the establishment of a physical store two years ago.
“Responding to the consistent feedback and requests from customers longing for the nostalgic ambience of the past, complete with physical displays of these snacks, I made the decision to open a brick-and-mortar store.
“Although they could easily order them online, many prefer to come to the store because they enjoy choosing and weighing the snacks, just like in the old days,” she said.
Nabilla Fadzillah, a fervent biscuit enthusiast, highlighted that she willingly spends tens of dollars daily to ensure she has a constant stock of her favourite biscuits.
The 35-year-old civil servant elaborated that her passion for these biscuits spans generations, from her grandmother’s era to her nieces and nephews, who also relish these treats.
Consequently, she describes them as one of the most effective means of bridging the generation gap within the family.
“I’ve been eating these classic snacks since I was a child because my parents bought them for me. Now, I buy them for my nieces and nephews,” she said. – BERNAMA
