Matchbook Mania: Why Restaurants are Bringing Back a Blast from the Past
In an era of digital menus and online ordering, restaurants are revisiting a nostalgic touch that's all about aesthetics and sentimentality - matchbooks. No longer just for lighting cigarettes, these small, collectible booklets have become coveted keepsakes, treasured by foodies and collectors alike.
For Tara Shepherd, Senior Account Manager at Eleven Eleven PR, matchbooks represent a way to relive special memories and stay connected with loved ones who share her passion for food. Whenever she visits a restaurant that serves matchbooks, she collects two - one for herself and one as a gift for her best friend. "It became this nostalgic way to remember the meal and also stay connected to each other through the restaurants we love," she says.
Kaitlyn Sestak, a New York City-based public relations manager, took up matchbook collecting after receiving custom matchbooks at her wedding. Her collection now sits proudly in a tall glass vase, filled with a variety of designs and colors that spark conversation. "They are such a fun memento of all the great places I've tried - especially those that may no longer exist," she says.
Matchbook collector Maryanne Wetherald was inspired by her father's and uncle's extensive collections. Her own collection has dwindled in size, but she now uses them to add a touch of nostalgia to her home decor. "It's a way you can continue to represent your restaurant in someone's home," says Amedee Trimmer, Managing Director of Operations at The Noortwyck.
But matchbook collecting isn't just about food - it's also become a trend for art enthusiasts and collectors. Phillumenist Bailey Disler has put together a Google Map with 450 restaurants, stores, and hotels in New York City that feature branded matchbooks. "My place is pretty minimal, and I don’t have a ton of decor," says food blogger Sara Strasbaugh. "The busy little bowl of different designs is my bit of funky with memories and color all wrapped into one."
For Disler, collecting matchbooks has become an adventure - a way to explore new neighborhoods and discover hidden gems. And for her girlfriend, it's also been a therapeutic outlet for social anxiety. "I've genuinely found it beneficial to have to ask if they have matchbooks," she says. "It's honestly less about the food and more about the sentimental value of the matchbooks."
As restaurants continue to bring back this nostalgic touch, it's clear that matchbook collecting has become a full-blown hobby - one that transcends borders and generations. Whether you're a foodie, a collector, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of a well-designed matchbook, there's no denying the magic of these small, collectible booklets.
In an era of digital menus and online ordering, restaurants are revisiting a nostalgic touch that's all about aesthetics and sentimentality - matchbooks. No longer just for lighting cigarettes, these small, collectible booklets have become coveted keepsakes, treasured by foodies and collectors alike.
For Tara Shepherd, Senior Account Manager at Eleven Eleven PR, matchbooks represent a way to relive special memories and stay connected with loved ones who share her passion for food. Whenever she visits a restaurant that serves matchbooks, she collects two - one for herself and one as a gift for her best friend. "It became this nostalgic way to remember the meal and also stay connected to each other through the restaurants we love," she says.
Kaitlyn Sestak, a New York City-based public relations manager, took up matchbook collecting after receiving custom matchbooks at her wedding. Her collection now sits proudly in a tall glass vase, filled with a variety of designs and colors that spark conversation. "They are such a fun memento of all the great places I've tried - especially those that may no longer exist," she says.
Matchbook collector Maryanne Wetherald was inspired by her father's and uncle's extensive collections. Her own collection has dwindled in size, but she now uses them to add a touch of nostalgia to her home decor. "It's a way you can continue to represent your restaurant in someone's home," says Amedee Trimmer, Managing Director of Operations at The Noortwyck.
But matchbook collecting isn't just about food - it's also become a trend for art enthusiasts and collectors. Phillumenist Bailey Disler has put together a Google Map with 450 restaurants, stores, and hotels in New York City that feature branded matchbooks. "My place is pretty minimal, and I don’t have a ton of decor," says food blogger Sara Strasbaugh. "The busy little bowl of different designs is my bit of funky with memories and color all wrapped into one."
For Disler, collecting matchbooks has become an adventure - a way to explore new neighborhoods and discover hidden gems. And for her girlfriend, it's also been a therapeutic outlet for social anxiety. "I've genuinely found it beneficial to have to ask if they have matchbooks," she says. "It's honestly less about the food and more about the sentimental value of the matchbooks."
As restaurants continue to bring back this nostalgic touch, it's clear that matchbook collecting has become a full-blown hobby - one that transcends borders and generations. Whether you're a foodie, a collector, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of a well-designed matchbook, there's no denying the magic of these small, collectible booklets.
! Matchbooks are literally the coolest thing ever - not just for foodies but also for anyone who loves aesthetics and collecting unique trinkets 
. I mean, think about it, a matchbook is more than just a practical item, it's an experience, a memory, a conversation starter... everything! 
And can we talk about the nostalgia factor? It's like, taking something that used to be for cigarettes and turning it into this beautiful keepsake... I'm all about it 
. I've even started collecting matchbooks myself (yes, I'm that person 
), and it's amazing how they can tell a story or evoke a certain atmosphere. Restaurants are doing a great job by incorporating them back into their spaces, and it's not just about food anymore - it's about the experience, the memories, the art... all of it! 
I mean, who needs digital menus when you can have a real matchbook to collect? My niece loves 'em too - she's got a whole collection of them now. We spend hours going through it together, reminiscing about our favorite eats. It's like having a piece of history in your hands... 
I can totally see why matchbook collecting has become a thing - it's not just about the food, it's about the memories and experiences you have at each restaurant. and the fact that it's become a way to connect with loved ones and share those moments is just perfect 
my grandma used to collect old postcards from our family vacations, this seems like a similar vibe 
i wonder if any restaurants are going to start giving away custom matchbooks as wedding favors? 
and connect with friends who love food as much as me 
matchbook collecting is like having a little piece of nostalgia in your pocket 
. I'm down to try out some new ones at my fave spots, thanks for the inspiration! 
i personally have a fave cafe that gaves me free matchbooks w/ every meal lol i collect dem & trade dem w/ my friends its all about the aesthetics n sentimentality 
. And then there are these art enthusiasts who collect matchbooks just because... I don't know, it's just so cool to see what kind of designs people come up with 
.
Now they're all about collecting them as a keepsake or conversation piece. It just seems like a fad to me. What's next, retro kitchen appliances becoming collectible art pieces? 
i can see why people would collect them too - they're like a mini memento of your dining experience + they come in so many different designs lol
. The fact that it's becoming a hobby that transcends borders and generations is a testament to the power of aesthetics and sentimentality in shaping our cultural landscape 
.
. And on a more personal level, I appreciate the therapeutic value of collecting matchbooks, especially for those who struggle with social anxiety like Bailey Disler 
.
), it's about the experience and memories you create around it 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is to see people finding joy in something as simple as a matchbook? 
It's like, who needs fancy decor when you have a tiny booklet with a design on it? 
. I mean think about it - restaurants that still got a retro vibe goin on with these little booklet things. Some people even buy 'em just for the designs 
. It's cool to see people gettin excited about somethin' so simple, but also nostalgic at the same time 
.
. I wonder if we'll see more restaurants gettin in on this trend 
. And I think that's what makes the magic of matchbooks so special – they remind us that sometimes, it's the smallest, most seemingly insignificant things that can hold the greatest significance for us 