Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, also known as Jim’s Apple Farm, is a Minnesota institution that doesn’t list a phone number or email address, no longer has a social media presence, and barely has a website!
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ToggleWhat it lacks in modern day internet marketing, it makes up for in sheer volume of sweets and other delicacies! This Ultimate Guide should provide everything you need to know about visiting Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store.
So grab the kids, fasten your seatbelts, and head down to the Big Yellow Barn for a family adventure featuring rows of candy, mountains of root beer, tons of jigsaw puzzles, and even an animatronic candy band!
The best part? This family-owned business is located less than an hour south of the Twin Cities on Johnson Memorial Drive in Jordan, Minnesota.
Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store – A Brief History
In the heart of Jordan, a tiny Minnesota town, you’ll find Jim’s Apple Farm. It houses an insanely large candy store, known as Minnesota’s largest candy store. This massive sweet haven has become a landmark in the Twin Cities metro area and continues to grow each year.
Its journey from being just another apple farm to becoming the state’s largest candy store is quite remarkable. The Family originally sold produce out of its big yellow barn. After a couple of years of spotty farming weather, they realized it was time for a change.
Now they sell thousands of types of candy out of that same big yellow barn to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year!
The journey hasn’t been without bumps in the road, like having their store’s Facebook account suspended due to issues with selling items such as pop rocks and candy cigarettes, or later having to shut down that same Facebook page after an employee made some not-so-great posts in 2020.
And yes, they are sometimes in the news for borderline slogans on their ever-changing roadside sign. However, as the owners said, they have three seconds to convince a motorist to stop in. Sometimes they get it right, and, well, sometimes they don’t.
All of that aside, the family has created a one-of-a-kind stop for candy lovers worldwide with a genuine focus on making people smile. It’s hard not to get excited about a visit to such an insanely large candy store!
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Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store – Exploring the Sweet Treats
We’ll warn you, walking into Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store can be quite overwhelming, especially with kids! It is hard to know where to even start!
The family has done a superb job of hiding fun around every corner. The first thing you’ll notice is the special kids door and row of kid-sized carts! If that doesn’t start everyone off on the right foot, I’m not sure what will!
Shopping Strategy
As you walk in, you’ll see the cash registers to the left and rows upon rows of candy and treats to the right, all broken into different sections. A store this large requires a strategy, and we recommend walking through the store first, so you can appreciate the pure quantity of items!
Then, we recommend giving everyone a budget and going your separate ways. Well, not really, we tried to stay in the same general area, but did let the kids explore independently. Our logic was they would be able to find their favorites faster, which would ensure we didn’t spend a whole afternoon candy shopping!
Finally, we met up at the cash registers, where you will also find the world’s largest Port-a-Potty’s! Thankfully they are real flush toilets cleverly designed to look like giant Biffs.
Thousands of Types of Candy
The store carries an eclectic array of classic candies that you may remember from childhood – think Pop Rocks, Necco, and candy cigarettes.
But it doesn’t end there; this incredibly large candy store also stocks international selections for those seeking something different. Kristen grew up in Japan and was impressed by the giant selection of Japanese goodies like Hi-Chew and Pocky.
Now, we can’t possibly list off every type of candy or every little section in the store. Plus, if we did, that would take all the adventure out of your trip! So instead we’ll give you a flavor of the variety by sharing our favorites:
- 91 flavors of Saltwater Taffy.
- Insanely large collection of unique soda and root beer.
- Entire section dedicated to sour candies.
- Multiple rows of gummy candies of all shapes and sizes.
- Our favorite childhood candies like candy necklaces, pop rocks.
- Nostalgic sweets like candy cigarettes, Necco, etc.
- Caramel apples and homemade pies.
- Truly bizarre items like bacon toothpaste…
In addition to sweets, they also have savory delights including a large variety of popcorn, tons of pasta, locally made beef jerky and cheese curds, crackers, salsas and preserves, and more.
So whether your family has a penchant for sweet or salty snacks, rest assured knowing Jim’s Apple Farm has you covered.
Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store – Murals and Superheros
As if the thousands of types of candy and treats wasn’t enough, the giant yellow barn is decorated from floor to ceiling with epic murals and superheroes.
Our kids were big fans of the Star Wars collection, classic superheroes like Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk, and the animatronic band that plays every five minutes.
Needless to say, no one will be bored! And from what we’ve heard, they are constantly adding to their collection. Looking for one of the world’s largest Pez dispensers? They’re here!
Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store – Planning Your Visit
This place is unique and is closed in the winter. Their hours are seasonal, open every day (including holidays) from May through November.
They have a very basic website that they use to keep their hours updated… but that’s about all it’s good for. No social media, phone number, or email.
The store has a huge gravel parking lot, but from what we’ve heard it can get pretty full. If you are looking to beat the crowds, come on a weekday. Weekends are the busiest.
I know it is hard to believe, but they do not accept credit cards OR debit cards. They accept cash and personal check only, which is amazing given the cashier told a story about a customer that bought $1,600 worth of candy! They do have an ATM onsite just in case.
You’ll find Minnesota’s largest candy store at 20430 Johnson Memorial Drive, Jordan, MN 55352, just across the street from Jordan Supper Club & Taproom.
One of the best parts of the experience is the extremely friendly staff. They clearly love their jobs, are mostly family members, and are passionate about sharing the world of candy.
FAQs in Relation to Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store
What are some fun facts about Minnesota’s largest candy store?
The candy store is home to over 3000 varieties of candies, including rare and imported sweets, and is as long as a football field. It also features a soda selection with more than 150 flavors.
Who owns the largest candy store in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store is owned by Robert Wagner and his family, who have been running it since the beginning.
What is the largest candy store in the US?
B.A. Sweetie Candy Company in Cleveland, Ohio holds the title for being America’s biggest candy store, spanning over 40,000 square feet.
Does Minnesota’s largest candy store close for the winter?
Yes. The store is open every day, including holidays, in the period from May through November
Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store – Final Thoughts
Exploring Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store is like stepping into a brave new world full of sweetness and joy. Get ready for a unique experience that will transport you back to your childhood.
Also, be ready to spend hours trying to find your kids and herd them towards the checkout counter! It is definitely a bit of sensory overload, so we’d highly recommend setting individual budgets and having a plan, so both parents can work together to limit the damage!
In all seriousness, it is an unforgettable experience. It’s insanely large and the Twin Cities metro remains a short 50-minute drive away. So pile into that minivan and embark on an adventure!
Our funniest memory? Right outside the exit door is a wall of bottle openers. Henrik, our oldest, went to open a bottle of Squirt, and it sprayed all of us from head to toe!
Back to the giant Port-a-Potties we went…