At a time we’re all looking for just tiny glimmers of joy and good news in our days, here comes some. At least if your’e a fan of Necco Wafers. It seems…Necco Wafers are back! For real. After two long years away.

They’re basically the same as you remember them from your childhood, for better or for worse. (People have VERY strong opinions about Necco wafers!)

While you’ll still get 8 of the original flavors including lemon, lime, wintergreen, clove (if you ever wondered why the purple ones were), and the licorice ones that I happily hand to my partner, the chocolate wafers are evidently new and improved with a slightly richer flavor.

Necco Wafers return! More info at coolmomeats.com

Maybe you’re a child of the 80s (or 70s or 50s or 40s) who enjoy them for nostalgia sake. Maybe you just really love that chalky texture and barely identifiable flavor. Maybe you’re short on poker chips. Or hey, maybe you’re just happy to support a family business that’s been around for more than 100 years — the Spangler Company, makers of Dum Dums and circus peanuts, purchased them when Necco went out of business in 2018 and they’re responsible for the official comeback this month.

Whatever your reason, may these childhood sweets be a balm for the soul during these trying times.

See this list of retail locations on the Spangler Candy website to find Necco Wafers near you. They’ll be in all major drugstores in June, which is great considering major drugstores remain open, then everywhere else in July. But consider supporting a local shop that carries them. I’m a big fan of Economy Candy, one of the gems of NYC.