One of the fun things about having a wife who likes to browse antique stores is the joy of finding things that bring back memories of growing up in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia.
I particularly enjoy coming across those hard-to-find things that you recognize instantly.
It’s a real bonus if they are inexpensive and don’t take up too much space.
It’s rare to come across much from Roanoke’s long-gone restaurant chain, Kenney’s. The very nature of a fast food joint means that things are quick, disposable, and lack permanence. But if you look hard enough you can still find some things.
Probably the most common souvenir of Kenney’s is the Bicentennial Chicken Glass. Around 1976, as America celebrated its 200th birthday, Kenney’s started heavily promoting its fried chicken.
The restaurant must have handed out thousands of these glasses because they are fairly easy to find in antique stores throughout the region. They also appear regularly on eBay, but the prices vary greatly. They probably average around $12.
One of my all-time favorite Kenney’s collectibles was designed for long-time employees, not the general public.
Kenney’s rewarded loyal workers with a piece of gold jewelry. I found this piece at an unfortunately now out-of-business antique store.
Another one of my favorite things is Kenney’s Coloring Book. I remember when they came out in the early 70s. They are hard to find on the antique market. I have mine and have only seen one other one.
They were not designed to last forever. They were printed on cheap pulp paper which doesn’t stand the test of time. It is brittle and crumbles easily.
