The company is still around, so you might still be buying the modern-day gourmet gift basket version for friends, family and/or clients.
Hickory Farms was founded in 1951 when Richard Ransom started selling handcrafted cheese at fairs in and near his Ohio hometown. At its peak of retail operations 30 years later, the company was operating 1,000 stores and kiosks in US and Canadian malls.
By 2000, the company had pivoted from year-round mall stores to focus on internet and catalog sales. You can still find them in mall kiosks during the holidays, however — seasonally, they operate 500 pop-up shops. And, in keeping with the times, they’re on Amazon, and also offer party-ready charcuterie gift baskets year-round on their site.
Hungry yet? Here, we have a round up of vintage Hickory Farms ads from the 70s, 80s and 90s for your reminiscing pleasure!
Gifts of old-time goodness from Hickory Farms (1974)
Delicious Food Gift Paks from your nearby Hickory Farms store will convey the spirit of Christmas to your entire gift list. And your gift problems (“Is it the right size?” or “Will they like this color?”) are solved.
ALSO SEE: Vintage charcuterie boards: 15 cool cold cut menu ideas (1955)
Vintage Hickory Farms anniversary celebration sale (1974)
Shown items include Sweet-Hot Mustard, Beef Stick Summer Sausage, Big Barn Cheddar, and Mix’n Match.
ALSO SEE: Christmas gifts from the kitchen: Classic homemade candy and cookies
Old-time quality makes a good time gift — Hickory Farms (1973)
Products shown: Deluxe Holiday Classic – Texas Spread – Midnight Special – Premium Pak – Deluxe Snack Pak
Retro 1970s Hickory Farms gift boxes with cheese and crackers
During this period of the year, husbands and wives ask each other, “What shall we give for Christmas?” They will find the answers at the local Hickory Farms of Ohio store.
There they will find a great array of good gift paks on display including the Deluxe Holiday Classic picture below.
This gift box and the others will be ideal for individuals, couples, and families. Selecting food gift paks will make shopping fun instead of a chore.
The food gift paks feature quality specialty foods including the exclusive Beef Stick Summer Sausage and a number of fine cheeses for which Hickory Farms of Ohio is famous. Such gifts are appreciated for quality goods appeal to everyone.
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Merry Christmas gift ideas from old Hickory Farms (1979)
We Have Appetizing Ways to Say “Merry Christmas…”
Hickory Farms of Ohio gifts reflect good taste. They’re a pleasure to give and a pleasure to receive. Visit the Hickory Farms of Ohio store nearest you and see these and many other gifts on display.
If you need to find a really special gift or have a large order for commercial gift giving… your gift problems are solved…
Retro Hickory Farms mall storefront from the 70s/80s
Remember these little red barn-shaped shop facades?
Vintage Hickory Farms Beef Sticks Summer Sausage
There’s nothing quite like the fine taste and smoked flavor of this renowned meat product. Great for cooking or just plain snacking, it’s found only at Hickory Farms of Ohio.
DON’T MISS: Charming classic Christmas treats to give: Vintage holiday recipes from the 1960s
Vintage Hickory Farms gift box (1989)
In this 80s pack: Melt-Away Mints, gourmet coffee, herbs & spices cheese spread, Safari meat stick, dijon mustard, English breakfast tea, nuts, chocolates, marmalade and jam.
Vintage Hickory Farms gift packs with cheese and sausage (c1980s)
Sure to please: Our gift paks feature BEEF STICK summer sausage, cheese, teas n sweets. In all price ranges.
America’s leading cheese ^gift^ stores – Over 500 stores coast-to-coast
Vintage Hickory Farms gift packages (c1990s)
Hickory Farms food gifts (1990)
Hickory Farms food gifts for Christmas (1994)
Our delicious selection of Value Priced Gifts are sure to please the choosiest person on your list.
Products shown include sweet-hot mustard, honey mustard, beef sticks, Hot pepper cheese, smooth n sharp cheese, Alpinzel cheese, chavarti cheese block, gouda, chedam, smoky cheese and a dozen strawberry candies.
Hickory Farms — The gift everyone loves to get.
Hickory Farms gift baskets for the holidays (1991)
NOW SEE THIS: The best vintage cracker brands & flavors that ruled the snack world in the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s
One Response
In the 80s, Hickory Farms was best known for their pop-up stores that showed up in malls around the holidays. Their gift packs were the go-to gift for anyone needing something for an office Pollyanna or that hard-to-shop-for person. Hickory Farms gift sets were good choices in that they were appropriate for casual acquaintances (i.e. they weren’t weirdly intimate), were generally well liked, were reasonably priced, and could be shared if the recipient didn’t like everything in the set. However, I had an uncle who truly loved Hickory Farms gift sets and looked forward to them at Christmas. Every year we got him the largest gift set they sold.