SaxInTheCity's Blog

One of my more distinct memories of childhood is driving around with my mom on errands (or wherever we happened to be going), and digging deep into her purse for a stick of gum. Whether it was Wrigley's Spearmint, Doublemint, or my favorite--Juicy Fruit, I LOVED finding Wrigley's gum in that purse and then happily chewing and chomping away as we drove. And she always had some. I loved that purse!

Later, when I was older (like 8 or something) I would spend a good chunk of my allowance buying my own gum--Big Red was a favorite and then around sixth grade Hubba Bubba was all the rage. Today, I always have Orbit  with me.

And all of these were/are Wrigley's brands! (OK, I also chew Dentyne and Trident in case you think this is beginning to look like a paid commerical for Wrigley.)

Oh, and, um, for clarification, I carry MY Wrigley's gum in my pockets--not a purse. I don't have a purse, want a purse, etc. Just so we're crystal clear on that. Moving on...

When Wrigley agreed to be part of our on-going feature series about Chicago businesses and institutions that have played a role in helping "put Chicago on the map", the company provided me with dozens of old commercials to use in our story (aired 11/4/07). Watching them was yet another amazing stroll down memory lane--especially the ones where every-day people walk around with those gigantic packs of Wrigley's Spearmint to the tune of "Carry the big fresh flavor, wherever you go, whatever you do!" I must have been no more than 5 when those first came out!

They were geat jingles that brought me back, one more time, to those joyous purse-digging days (again, joyous due to finding the gum, not 'cuz I liked the purse, OK?)  Check 'em out for yourself below.