You're A True Canadian Millennial If You Remember These 7 Things From Iconic Stores
If you spent your formative years growing up in Canada, brace yourself for some seriously nostalgic throwbacks.
While there are of course many Canadian snacks and TV shows that take us right back to those simpler days in the '90s and '00s, there are also quite a few formative memories Canadians likely have involving stores in the country like Swiss Chalet, Tim Hortons and now shuttered stores like HMV and Rogers Video.
Take a look below at seven things Canadian millennials have almost definitely experienced and be prepared to take a walk down memory lane.
The Zeddy ride
So maybe going to Zellers on a busy Sunday with your mom wasn't the definition of a good time, but if she let you ride the Zeddy Wheel, it was totally worth it.
The Zeddy Wheel was a cute little ride located at the front of old Zellers stores, and for the cost of a few coins, your six-year-old self would have the thrill of a lifetime while travelling in relatively slow circles on the ride for a few minutes.
Oh, and if you guys also got to stop at the Zellers restaurant and have a cheeky poutine? Those were the good times!
Unfortunately, although Zellers has been resurrected inside certain The Bay stores in Canada, neither the Zeddy Wheel nor the in-store dining experience has come back, but we'll always have those memories.
The bowl of lemon water at Swiss Chalet
@candicezappone can I go pick out a toy from the treasure chest now?
Swiss Chalet was a staple for many families (and still is to this day!) and there are so many memories associated with it.
Remember ordering a Shirley Temple with your meal and feeling super fancy and grown up, and then proceeding to have a mini sword fight with the plastic thing that held the garnish? And then picking out a toy from the revered toy chest that you'd likely lose within the week?
One of the core memories Canadian millennials likely have is rinsing their fingers in the little bowls of warm water they'd serve at the end of the meal, complete with a lemon. It felt like fancy fine-dining, but family-friendly.
Some stores apparently still maintain the practice, but it's been ages since I've seen it in person.
Pizza Hut's Book It
Pizza Hut Book It!
byu/ruccarucca innostalgia
Pizza Hut's Book It! program is still around to this day (albeit not as popular), and it's a great way to reward early literacy in exchange for free pizza.
Back in the day, once you completed the monthly reading list, the retailer would give you a certificate entitling you to a free personal pan pizza and it also came with a cute little pin that you could proudly stick on your backpack or winter jacket, because reading is cool.
We're still waiting for the adult version of this program, Pizza Hut.
The 2/$25 sale at HMV
Before HMV permanently shuttered in Canada, one of the coolest things you could do as a tween or teen was pick up new CDs and get in on their two-for-$25 deal.
Whether it was the latest Big Shiny Tunes, Backstreet Boys' Millennium or Blink-182's Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, having the latest tunes for your Discman was a sure ticket to schoolyard popularity. It was the early 2000 version of sharing your Spotify Wrapped, if you will.
The Rogers Video Star Rewards member card
Similar to HMV, Rogers Video is no longer around but the memories will live on in the brain of Canadian millennials.
The details of the company's Star Rewards membership card seem hazy, but getting that red card out on a Friday night and picking up the hottest new VHS to watch with your friends was truly the best.
Watching classics like Titanic, Never Been Kissed, She's All That and more while playing MASH with your besties — the memories!
Hopefully you were the type of child who would rewind the tape before you sent it back!
McDonald's Pizza
McDonald's Pizza: Anyone else remember trying this?
byu/Pocket_Hochules inPizza
If you remember the McDonald's Pizza, you're definitely of a certain age.
The "McPizza," as it has been referred to it in recent years, was around for a period of time in the '90s and was somehow the best but also the worst.
It took much longer to cook than other menu items, it was a little bit cardboard-like, but it was also universally loved, so who knows — one sweet day it might make a comeback.
That being said, when Tim Hortons debuted their flatbread pizza in 2022 it caused "McPizza" to trend in Canada which prompted comedian Kim's Convenience star and comedian Andrew Phung to tweet at the company asking for the return of the item.
"Andrew pls not now," tweeted back McDonald's Canada.
Black Forest Cake at Tim Hortons
I miss the black forest cake
byu/rabindranatagor inTimHortons
Did you know Tim Hortons used to sell cake? This one might be more geared towards older millennials, but there was nothing better than your parents picking you up a Black Forest Cake from Timmies for your birthday party.
It was cloyingly sweet and supremely artificial, but hey – sometimes that's all you really want when you're an 11-year-old and buzzing from the thrill of getting your first Gameboy and Pokemon Red game.
Given that Tim Hortons has been known to bring back fan-favourite menu items, maybe one day we can get our hands on the delicious treat once again.
In 2024, Tims brought back four retro donuts in honour of their 60th anniversary: the Dutchie, Blueberry Fritter, Cinnamon Sugar Twist and Walnut Crunch.
"We wanted to kick off our 60th anniversary year with a bang and we can't wait to re-introduce Canadians to four retro donuts that were most popular historically among our guests," said Hope Bagozzi, chief marketing officer for Tim Hortons.
Fingers crossed more fun treats come back for their next anniversary!
Hopefully you enjoyed this walk down memory lane and that next up you blast "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys while munching on some nostalgic snacks!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
