Some of the best finds in Minnesota hide at the end of a quiet country road, behind a plain sign you could easily drive past. I went looking for a few bags of flour and walked out with warm pies, a jar of jam, and a story I keep telling friends.
The shelves feel like a step back in time, and the prices seem to come from another decade too. If you love a real bargain and a slower pace, this little Amish market is worth a full tank of gas.
A Country General Store on 55th Avenue
Picture gravel, fields, and a modest building that hardly announces itself. That is the first look at Sunrise Sales, a general store at 11482 55th Ave just outside Milaca, Minnesota.
Locals often skip the official name and simply call it The Amish Store.
Milaca sits in Mille Lacs County, roughly an hour and a half north of the Twin Cities, depending on where you start. The drive takes you through classic central Minnesota farm country, with wide sky and little traffic.
It feels miles away from any big-box parking lot, and that is half the charm.
Inside, you will find bulk foods, groceries, homemade treats, dry goods, and a surprising mix of practical household items. A bakery sits right next door, so one stop covers both pantry staples and dessert.
Visitors describe it as a place with a little bit of everything, and first-timers usually leave carrying more than they planned.
Amish Roots and a Loyal Following
Family-run businesses rarely get more traditional than this one. Sunrise Sales is Amish owned and operated, which shapes everything from the products on the shelves to the unhurried way business gets done.
Loyalty runs deep among shoppers. One family of eight mentions shopping here since around 2018, back when the store sat at a previous location.
Their move to the current spot on 55th Avenue did not shake that habit one bit, and plenty of other regulars seem to follow the same pattern.
Word of mouth does most of the advertising. Fans say they make a point of telling everyone about this little gem, and newer visitors report sending multiple friends out after a single trip.
In a state that treasures old-school institutions, that kind of steady, generational trust says a lot. You are not just shopping a store here, you are stepping into a community rhythm that has quietly earned its reputation.
Skylights Instead of Switches
Forget the hum of fluorescent tubes. Shoppers note that the store is mostly lit by skylights, so natural daylight pours down across the aisles and gives everything a soft, old-fashioned glow.
Going off-grid comes with a few quirks worth planning around. There is no air conditioning, which is why regulars suggest visiting on mild, sunny days when the light is strong and the temperature stays comfortable.
On a gray afternoon, the aisles may feel a bit dimmer than a typical supermarket.
Winter visitors can relax, though. Reports say there is sufficient heat during the colder months, so a January bulk-baking run is perfectly doable.
A restroom is also available if you need one after the drive. Honestly, the setting is part of the experience.
Shopping by sunlight makes you slow down, read labels, and notice the details you would rush past anywhere else in the state.
Flour, Oats, and a Pantry Lover’s Paradise
Home bakers, brace yourselves. Bulk foods are the backbone of Sunrise Sales, and the selection reads like a dream shopping list for anyone who loves a full pantry.
Shoppers mention flours, sugars, cereals, bulk oats and wheat, flax, dried fruit, cocoa, and all sorts of baking ingredients. Health-conscious cooks point to finds like unsweetened shredded coconut and coconut oil, while herbs and spices earn their own fan club.
One regular says she always returns for her spices and flours, and plenty of others agree.
Portions here tend to be generous, with very large bulk items at prices visitors call really good. That makes it a smart stop before holiday baking season or a big canning weekend.
Fill a cooler, grab a few sacks, and your kitchen might stay stocked for months. Big-city specialty grocers would charge a premium for this variety, but here it simply feels like everyday country shopping.
The Bakery Next Door and Its Famous Fry Pies
Follow your nose. Right beside the general store sits a bakery that many visitors call equally amazing, and some admit it is the real reason they make the drive.
Fry pies are the star, offered in a wide range of flavors. Breads, cookies, and rolls round out the lineup, and shoppers describe the baked goods as fresh.
One visitor watched the ladies busy in the bakery making all kinds of treats, which tells you these goodies are made by hand, close by.
Timing matters here. Regulars say Thursday and Friday are baked goods days, so those tend to be the best times to find a full selection.
One shopper did once report fry pies that seemed past their prime, so a fresh-day visit is your best bet. Grab a few for the ride home, and maybe a couple extra, because they rarely survive the trip back to the Cities.
Shelves of Jams, Jellies, and Homemade Noodles
Color hits you first. Rows of jars stretch along the shelves, and visitors describe a huge selection of jellies and jams that practically begs you to pick a favorite.
One happy shopper grabbed a jar of jelly alongside some pies and simply urged others to try it. That is the kind of easy recommendation you hear often here.
These jars make great gifts, too, especially for anyone back home who appreciates something made the slow way.
Savory fans have options as well. Homemade noodles get special praise, and they fit right into a classic Minnesota hotdish or a bowl of chicken soup on a snowy evening.
Another crowd-pleaser is the assorted crunch, a snack mix that one visitor called amazing. Toss a bag in the car for the road.
Between the jams, noodles, and crunchy treats, it is tough to leave without a little homemade goodness tucked under your arm.
Cheese Blocks and the Bargain Corner
Ready for a price that sounds like a typo? One shopper reported cheese blocks lately running around $3.20 per pound.
Another remembers getting really great cheeses at exceptional prices. Prices can shift, of course, but the reputation for value is clearly well earned.
Tucked toward the back, a bargain section rewards anyone willing to browse. Longtime visitors say they always check it out, and a discount grocery area adds even more chances to stretch a budget.
It is the kind of corner where a patient shopper can fill a basket for well under $25.
Recent visitors call the prices absurdly good, and that sentiment pops up again and again. For thrifty Minnesota families feeding a crowd, this is where the trip really pays off.
Compare the receipt to a big-city grocery run and you may start planning your next visit before you even reach the car.
Boots, Fabric, Horseshoes, and Handy Surprises
Not everything here is edible. Wander past the food and you will find work wear, kitchenware, batteries, and lots of handy items you did not know you needed.
One shopper loved the aisle with fabrics and horseshoes, and horse owners may appreciate the trimming supplies on hand. A Minnesota mom credits Reed’s boots from Sunrise Sales with helping her feet handle a brutal winter, which is high praise in this state.
Animal feed is also available for farm and hobby households.
Craft lovers get a treat, too. Handcrafted woodwork, home-made crafts, and gifts line parts of the store, offering one-of-a-kind finds you will not spot in a mall.
Some practical tools appear as well, though visitors note the selection leans simple, think Amish rather than hardware superstore. It all adds up to a classic general store mix, where browsing feels like a small adventure.
A Kind Atmosphere for Every Kind of Shopper
Kindness seems to be stocked right alongside the flour. Visitors regularly describe the staff as friendly, helpful, and humble, and many say the whole place feels welcoming from the moment you walk in.
Cleanliness earns compliments, too. One shopper brought her neighbor along and called it a wonderful time in a very clean, kind setting.
That makes it a lovely outing for friends, retirees looking for a relaxed day trip, or parents who want to show kids how a traditional store works.
Serious home cooks will feel right at home, but so will casual browsers who simply enjoy discovering something new. Health-minded shoppers find plenty of whole ingredients, while sweet tooths head straight for the bakery.
Big families stocking up for the season fit in perfectly. Visitors say you are practically guaranteed not to leave empty-handed, and judging by the stories, that promise holds up nicely.
Cash in Hand and Cameras Away
Two simple courtesies will make your visit go smoothly. First, bring cash.
Several shoppers stress this point, so stop at an ATM in town before heading out to the store.
Second, leave the camera in your pocket when it comes to people. The store is Amish owned and operated, and visitors kindly ask others not to photograph the family or staff.
Respecting that tradition keeps the experience pleasant for everyone and honors the community that makes the place special.
A little planning goes a long way beyond that. Pack a cooler if you plan to buy cheese or baked goods, especially on warm days, since the building has no air conditioning.
Bring sturdy bags or boxes for bulk sacks, too. Think of it like visiting a neighbor’s farm: polite, prepared, and ready to enjoy a slower, friendlier way of doing business.
Hours, Bakery Days, and Planning the Drive
Mark your calendar carefully. Sunrise Sales is typically open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed on Sundays.
You can call ahead at 320-983-3100 if you want to confirm before making the trip.
Holidays observed by the Amish community may also affect hours. One visitor noted the store closed on Ascension Day in a past year, so a quick phone call around religious holidays is a smart move.
For the best bakery spread, aim for Thursday or Friday, which regulars call baked goods days.
Propane refills have long been part of the store’s reputation, but one longtime shopper mentions the propane operation has moved and is no longer at this address. Plan accordingly if that is your main errand.
The store sits at 11482 55th Ave, outside Milaca, an easy and scenic drive from the Twin Cities or St. Cloud.
Why Milaca’s Amish Store Earns a Spot on Your Route
Sometimes the most memorable stops are the humblest ones. Sunrise Sales does not rely on flashy signs or trendy branding, yet it keeps drawing Minnesotans back year after year.
The appeal is easy to understand. Fresh fry pies, shelves of jams, bargain cheese, and sacks of flour sit under natural skylight, served by people visitors call kind and helpful.
Add boots, fabric, and handmade crafts, and you have a general store that quietly outshines plenty of city shops on both value and character.
Is it perfect? A rare stale pie or a warm summer afternoon might test your patience.
Still, most shoppers leave with full bags, light wallets, and a story to share. Bring cash, aim for a Thursday or Friday, and invite a friend along.
Minnesota has plenty of hidden treasures, and this one deserves a happy spot on your next country drive.
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