A candy store with a soda called Ranch Dressing on its shelves deserves your attention. So does a 60-foot dome painted with superheroes, sitting on top of a giant yellow barn.
I like how this place started with apples and pies. Then a run of brutal hailstorms changed the family’s plans, and candy took over in a big way.
The shelves hold more than 3,000 kinds of candy. There are also puzzles, jerky, jams, cheese curds, and warm apple pies. An animatronic candy band even plays oldies while you shop.
I can’t imagine a better roadside stop in Minnesota for a sweet tooth.
Follow The Mile Of Yellow Fence Straight To Sugar
Nobody needs a map for this one. A mile-long stretch of yellow fencing lines Highway 169, pointing drivers right to a huge yellow barn.
That barn is Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, and it looks a bit like an airplane hangar that discovered sunshine. Some folks also know it as Jim’s Apple Farm, a name tied to its fruity beginnings.
The color is the whole trick. You spot it from far away, and suddenly your car seems to steer itself toward the parking lot.
The building didn’t start out this big. It grew as the candy business took off, and the family expanded it several times over the years.
Today the structure runs longer than a football field. That’s a lot of floor space dedicated to treats and oddball surprises.
The outside sets the mood before you even open a door. It feels cheerful, a little silly, and totally confident about what it is.
So if a road trip needs a mood lift, this bright landmark does the job. Just plan for a longer stop than you expected. Quick candy runs here tend to stretch, and honestly, that’s half the fun.
Hailstorms Turned An Apple Farm Into A Candy Kingdom
Bad weather wrote the best plot twist here. Around 2005, three straight years of hailstorms wrecked the apple crops on the Wagner family land.
That land has been in the family since 1900. The Wagner family’s business roots in Scott County date back to the 1930s, while Herbert ‘Hippy’ Wagner developed the apple-selling operation in the following decades.
After the hail, his son Robert Wagner leaned into candy. Robert’s daughter Christine pushed hard for the expansion, and the gamble clearly paid off.
Robert Wagner and his wife, Renee Wagner, run the family business, with other relatives also helping operate the store.
There’s another neat twist in the story. In 2024, plans to move the store for a highway interchange project were dropped because of poor soil conditions.
That means the yellow barn is staying right where it is. Fans of the place can breathe easy and keep their road trip routes the same.
I love that a disaster led to something this joyful. It’s a solid reminder that a stubborn Minnesota family can turn ruined apples into one of the state’s most colorful stops.
Over 3,000 Candies Means You Need A Game Plan
Three thousand. That’s roughly how many candy varieties fill the shelves, and the number alone can make your teeth tingle.
The good news is the store sorts things by type. You’ll find sections for sour candy, gumballs, licorice, gummies, hard candy, taffy, suckers, and caramel.
There’s also a European section and plenty of character-themed sweets. International candy gives you a chance to taste snacks you’d never find at a regular grocery store.
Nostalgia plays a big role here. Old-school favorites sit near rare finds, so you might spot a treat you haven’t seen since grade school.
Then there’s the goofy stuff. Yes, “poop candy” exists here, and yes, kids will probably beg for it.
A smart plan helps a lot. Pick one or two categories to explore first, then wander once your basket starts filling up.
Another tip is to grab something you’ve never tried. Mixing a classic with a mystery candy makes the trip way more fun on the drive home. Sharing a taste test in the car might just become your new favorite tradition after visiting.
Warm Apple Pie Keeps The Old Farm Alive
Long before the candy took over, pies were the main event. That tradition still matters at Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, where homemade apple pies remain a big draw.
They’re often sold warm and freshly made. Honestly, a fresh pie is a strong reason to visit all on its own.
The bakery doesn’t stop there. You can also find nut rolls, apple pastries, and a rotating mix of fresh baked goods.
Fall brings the farm side back in full force. Fresh apples from local orchards arrive, including Minnesota favorites like Honeycrisp and SweetTango.
Pumpkins and gourds show up in autumn too. That makes a September or October trip feel extra cozy and seasonal.
Here’s a practical idea. Grab your pie near the end of your visit so it stays safe while you shop.
Bringing a cooler bag in the car isn’t a bad move either. Pies travel better when they aren’t sliding around the back seat next to a box of taffy. I like that the family kept this piece of the past, since it connects today’s sugar wonderland to its orchard roots.
Buffalo Wing Soda Is Real, And It’s Waiting For You
Ranch Dressing soda sounds like a dare. Here, it sits on a shelf next to flavors like Buffalo Wing, Maple Bacon, and Peanut Butter and Jelly.
The store claims the world’s largest selection of specialty sodas. At times, that means more than 1,000 different kinds.
Root beer fans get their own treasure trove. The gourmet root beer collection includes around 150 varieties, which is a lot of foam.
Traditional sodas are part of the lineup too. So if strange flavors aren’t your thing, you still have plenty of safe picks.
Many bottles can be mixed and matched. That makes it easy to build a custom pack for a family tasting night.
My suggestion is to grab a few normal ones and one wild card. The weird bottle becomes the star of the evening, even if nobody finishes it.
A soda tasting also makes a great gift for a friend who has everything. Few people expect a bottle of Ranch Dressing pop in their birthday bag. It’s silly, memorable, and way more fun than another gift card.
Look Up, Because The Ceiling Steals The Show
Superheroes hang out above the candy aisles like they’re guarding the gummy bears. Hulk, Batman, The Joker, and plenty of Marvel heroes show up as larger-than-life figures.
Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars characters join the party too. Wild paintings and colorful lighting make the space feel like a funhouse built by someone with a serious sugar rush.
The biggest showpiece came in 2017. A 60-foot-tall dome, shaped a bit like an observatory, was added to the north end of the building.
Inside that dome, elaborate murals cover the space with beloved characters. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop mid-aisle with your mouth open.
The decor keeps changing as well. In 2025, one superhero-themed room got a fresh jungle makeover.
My best advice is simple. Walk slowly, glance up often, and keep your phone camera handy for the overhead scenes.
Kids will spot their favorite characters fast. Grown-ups might be even louder about it, especially when a childhood hero shows up hovering over the licorice. The art turns a shopping trip into something closer to a mini museum visit.
Puzzles, Jerky And Cheese Curds Crash The Candy Party
Jigsaw puzzles might be the biggest surprise in the building. The store carries more than 6,000 puzzle designs, tucked throughout the space.
One standout is a Guinness Record-breaking 40,320-piece Disney puzzle. That’s not a weekend project, that’s a lifestyle.
The snack side keeps going too. Chips, salsas, jerky, popcorn, and sauces fill aisles you probably didn’t expect at a candy shop.
Pantry items show up as well. Think syrups, jams, jellies, dried pasta, and quick breads.
Meats and charcuterie supplies make it easy to plan a party spread. Fresh cheese curds even make an appearance, which feels very Minnesota.
Novelty gifts round out the mix. You can knock out birthday shopping and grab dinner ideas in one stop.
I believe this variety is what makes the place so fun. It feels like a candy store, a gift shop, and a country pantry all mashed together.
Bring a list if you want to stay focused. Or skip the list and just see what jumps into your basket next.
A Robot Band Plays Oldies While You Shop
Shopping comes with a soundtrack here, and the performers are made of candy. An animatronic candy band plays oldies hits inside the store.
It’s cheesy in the best way. Little kids stare, grandparents hum along, and teens pretend not to be impressed.
The quirky touches keep coming. A red British phone booth stands inside, ready for a goofy family photo.
Curious about your future? A fortune-telling machine waits to share some wisdom, or at least some fun.
Near the entrance, a giant gumball machine greets you right away. Life-sized figurines also pop up throughout the store, so expect a few surprise encounters.
These details turn the visit into a walk-through attraction. Plenty of people come for snacks and stay for the oddities.
A good tip is to make a little scavenger hunt for kids. Have them find the band, the phone booth, and the fortune teller.
That keeps young shoppers busy and happy. It also gives parents a few extra minutes to browse the fudge in peace.
Bring Cash, Smart Timing, And An Empty Trunk
Cards stay in your wallet at this stop. Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store runs on a cash-only system, though ATMs are available on-site.
The old-school approach goes further. There are no checkout scanners or barcodes, and price tags get applied by hand.
Two brothers, Gil and Bob Hartmann, handle that job. They’re Renee Wagner’s father and uncle, and they tag hundreds of thousands of items.
You’ll find the store at 20430 Johnson Memorial Dr, Jordan, MN 55352. It sits right along Highway 169, about 30 to 35 minutes southwest of Minneapolis.
The store is seasonal, so timing matters. It usually closes after Thanksgiving and stays shut through winter, reopening in spring.
Hours generally run 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Weekends usually stretch until 8 p.m.
The store does not maintain an official website, Facebook page, or public customer phone line, so check recent local visitor information before making a long drive.
Weekday mornings tend to feel calmer for browsing. Give yourself a solid chunk of time, because this yellow barn rewards slow wandering. Just maybe leave room in the trunk for that pie.
