More than 3,000 kinds of candy sit under one roof in Minnesota, and the ceilings are covered in movie murals. That detail alone made me stop scrolling.
Then I learned about the taffy. Shelves reportedly hold many types of it, right alongside nostalgic bars and sweets from around the world.
The bakery adds another layer of temptation. Fresh apple pie and apple bread come out of the ovens here, and that smell drifts through the aisles.
I can’t imagine passing that counter without grabbing a loaf.
I like how a roadside stop can quietly swallow an entire afternoon. Dozens of root beers, hundreds of puzzles, and superhero statues overhead make it far more than a quick snack run.
So how does a candy store end up feeling like a small-town theme park?
The Yellow Candy Giant Along Highway 169
Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store doesn’t hide behind a modest name. The title tells you exactly what you’re getting, and the shelves back it up.
Officially, it’s a candy store on the edge of Jordan in Scott County. Unofficially, it’s one of the state’s most talked-about roadside stops.
Candy is the headliner, with one count putting the selection at more than 3,000 varieties. Taffy, fudge, international treats, and old-school favorites all share the spotlight.
Still, the inventory wanders well beyond sweets. Chips, sauces, jams, cheeses, candles, soda, and fresh-baked goods fill the rest of the aisles.
Then there’s the decor, which deserves its own paragraph and later its own sections. Overhead murals and big statues turn a shopping trip into something closer to a walk-through attraction.
It’s the kind of spot that makes Minnesotans a little smug. Big cities have fancy confectioners, but few of them offer this much under one roof.
Families, couples, and road-trippers all seem to find a reason to pull over. Some folks even treat it as a yearly tradition, which says plenty about its staying power.
A Quick Drive South That Feels Like An Escape
Thirty minutes. That’s roughly how far this sugar destination sits south of the Twin Cities, depending on traffic and how many snack cravings strike along the way.
The store rests on Highway 169 between Belle Plaine and Jordan. Farm fields and Minnesota River Valley scenery make the trip feel longer in the best possible way.
Getting there recently became easier, too. A newer road now leads to the store, smoothing out access compared with earlier years.
The full address is 20430 Johnson Memorial Dr, Jordan, MN 55352. Plug it into your phone, and the giant building does the rest of the navigating.
Plenty of travelers fold it into bigger plans. Heading toward Mankato, southern lake country, or a weekend getaway?
It makes a natural pit stop.
Metro dwellers can also treat it as a standalone outing. A morning drive, a pie for dessert, and a bag of nostalgic candy add up to a pretty solid Saturday.
Either way, the location proves you don’t need a downtown storefront to draw a crowd. Sometimes the best Minnesota finds are sitting right beside a busy highway.
Taffy In More Flavors Than Your Jaw Can Handle
Chewy, colorful, and wrapped in twisted wax paper, taffy is a candy store classic for good reason. Here, the selection runs deep with many types to sort through.
Variety is the real draw. Fruit flavors, creamy options, and quirky picks may all show up, so mixing a bag becomes its own little game.
Taffy also pairs nicely with a road trip. It travels well, it lasts a while, and it keeps backseat passengers quiet for at least a few miles.
Don’t expect the candy experience to stop there. Fudge shares the stage, offering a richer, denser counterpart to all that chewiness.
Buying in bulk is half the fun at a place this size. Grab a few flavors you already love, then add one wild card you’ve never tried.
One fair warning belongs here. Your dentist might not share your enthusiasm, so maybe pace yourself on the drive home.
For many families, a bag of taffy becomes the souvenir that sticks. It’s simple, sweet, and very much in step with old-fashioned Minnesota fun.
Childhood Candy You Forgot Still Existed
Remember that candy bar from grade school that vanished from gas stations years ago? There’s a decent chance it’s sitting on a shelf here.
Nostalgic candy is one of the store’s strongest calling cards. Shoppers often spot treats they haven’t seen in decades, which sparks plenty of happy pointing.
It’s a fun way to bridge generations, too. Grandparents can introduce kids to their old favorites, while kids return the favor with modern novelties.
The mix leans gloriously random. Classic brands sit near oddball creations, so every aisle seems to hold at least one surprise.
Some shoppers come with a mental checklist of retro picks. Others simply wander and let memory do the steering.
Both approaches work, honestly. The sheer volume means nobody leaves empty-handed, even the pickiest sweet-tooth veterans.
There’s also something very Minnesotan about keeping old traditions alive. A store that preserves these candies feels like a small act of loyalty to simpler times.
So go ahead and hunt for that forgotten favorite. If you find it, the trip already paid for itself in pure nostalgia.
Sweets With Passports From Around The Globe
Japanese snacks, European chocolates, and spicy Mexican treats can all land in the same shopping basket. International candy is a big part of the store’s identity.
Many of these items are hard to find at typical Minnesota grocery stores. That alone makes the trip worthwhile for curious eaters.
Trying something new becomes a low-stakes adventure. Grab a few foreign flavors, share them in the car, and crown a winner by the next exit.
Snack lovers get rewarded beyond candy as well. Chips and other savory treats with global flair expand the options for folks who prefer salt over sugar.
It’s a surprisingly educational stop for kids. Reading labels in other languages and tasting unfamiliar flavors turns snacking into a mini geography lesson.
Not every pick will be a hit, of course. That’s part of the charm, and the stories from a misfire can be as memorable as the favorites.
Big-city specialty shops often charge a premium for this kind of variety. Finding it in rural Scott County feels like a quiet Minnesota win.
The Bakery Smell That Follows You Down Every Aisle
Apple pie and apple bread have a talent for stealing attention from thousands of candies. The aroma reportedly fills the building, which feels a little unfair to anyone on a diet.
The on-site bakery turns out fresh pies, with apple leading the conversation. Other pies and baked goods typically join the lineup.
Apple bread earns its own fan club. A loaf makes an easy take-home treat for breakfast, dessert, or both if no one’s watching.
Pies here also fit the value-minded Minnesota spirit. Grabbing a whole pie to share with family stretches the fun well past the drive home.
Timing can matter with fresh baking. Arriving earlier in the day may give you a better shot at a full selection.
It’s a cozy counterpoint to all the bright candy wrappers. Warm crust and cinnamon bring a homestyle, farm-kitchen feel to the visit.
Honestly, skipping the bakery might be the biggest rookie mistake here. Even a candy-focused trip deserves at least one slice of something warm and apple-scented.
A Root Beer Wall Worth Toasting With Fizz
Dozens of root beers in one section sounds almost made up. Yet that’s exactly what soda fans can expect from the store’s sprawling pop selection.
Root beer is the star, with brands you rarely see elsewhere. Craft labels and old-fashioned bottles line the shelves in a fizzy rainbow.
Other sodas round things out nicely. Fruit flavors, retro brands, and unusual sips give everyone something to sample.
Building a mixed case is a popular move. It turns a family movie night into a taste test, complete with scorecards if you’re competitive.
Glass bottles also make thoughtful gifts. A few rare root beers can delight the soda snob in your life far more than another coffee mug.
Quick tip for collectors: take a peek at the dates on bottles before checkout. With this much inventory, a little label-checking is simply smart shopping.
Pop, as true Minnesotans call it, pairs perfectly with everything else here. Candy, pie, and a cold root beer make a dessert trio that’s hard to beat.
Hundreds Of Puzzles Hiding Between The Sweets
Puzzles might be the store’s most unexpected specialty. Hundreds of them are spread throughout the building, waiting for winter evenings.
That’s a natural fit for Minnesota. Long cold months practically demand a big jigsaw on the kitchen table.
Minnesota-themed puzzles are part of the mix, too. Staff can point you toward them if the shelves feel overwhelming.
Gift shoppers will find this section handy. A puzzle plus a bag of candy covers birthdays, holidays, and hostess gifts with almost no effort.
Families can also turn a purchase into a tradition. Pick one together each visit, finish it at home, then return for the next challenge.
The variety covers different skill levels and interests. Scenic landscapes, playful designs, and themed images all compete for attention.
It’s a smart reminder that this place sells experiences as much as snacks. A puzzle keeps the memory of the trip alive for weeks afterward, piece by stubborn piece.
Look Up Before You Look At Candy
Ceilings rarely get top billing in a store review, but these ones earn it. Murals and statues cover the overhead space with movie-inspired scenes.
Characters and themes nodding to Frozen, Monsters Inc, and Harry Potter have appeared among the displays. Larger-than-life superhero models add even more drama.
Themed rooms shift from Disney-style magic to science fiction. Walking from one area to the next feels a bit like changing channels.
The room with chewable candies boasts an especially memorable ceiling. It’s easy to forget about shopping while craning your neck upward.
Decor also changes and grows over time. Returning shoppers have noticed updated themes, so a repeat trip might reveal brand-new surprises.
Arts and crafts on display add another layer of personality. The whole place feels handmade with enthusiasm rather than copied from a corporate template.
Bring a camera or keep your phone handy. Family photos under these displays make some of the most fun souvenirs of all, and they’re completely free.
Pantry Finds Beyond The Sugar Rush
Hot sauces, pickled everything, and jars of jam make a strong case for bringing a cooler. The store stocks far more than sweets.
Cheese, meats, and butter also appear on the shelves. Local goods share space with items from farther away.
Savory shoppers can easily build a snack board from this lineup. Add crackers or chips, and you’ve got a picnic ready for a park stop down the road.
Sauces deserve a slow browse. Spicy, tangy, and sweet options can upgrade weeknight dinners long after the candy disappears.
Candles and other gift items fill in the gaps. It’s handy for picking up a present without making a separate trip to the mall.
Prices on many everyday items are often considered competitive. That combination of variety and value fits right into thrifty Minnesota habits.
Think of it as a country store tucked inside a candy wonderland. You came for gummy worms, and you might leave with dinner fixings, too.
Fun For Toddlers, Teens, And Grandparents Alike
Kids see a sugary playground, while grown-ups see a nostalgia museum. Somehow, both groups end up equally excited.
The store works well for families of all sizes. There’s plenty to look at overhead, so little ones stay entertained even while parents compare snacks.
Small touches help, too. Restrooms have included a step stool for kids, a thoughtful detail busy parents appreciate.
Couples have discovered it as a playful date spot. Splitting a pie and daring each other to try weird candy beats another dinner-and-a-movie night.
Birthday outings make sense here as well. A special trip for a parent or grandparent can become a cherished annual ritual.
Plenty of families already treat the store as a yearly tradition. Some make the trip when school lets out for summer, kicking off vacation with a sweet start.
Those rituals are exactly what Minnesota does best. Simple pleasures, shared across generations, tend to stick around much longer than the candy itself.
Cash In Pocket Makes Everything Smoother
Leave the tap-to-pay habit at home for this one. The store accepts only cash or check, so cards and phone payments won’t work at the register.
Thankfully, there’s a backup plan. Several ATMs sit on site, scattered around the building for quick access.
Still, arriving with cash saves time and fees. It also helps you set a candy budget, which is wise in a store this tempting.
Checkout tends to stay organized even on busy days. Friendly staff keep the lines moving efficiently.
Free parking is plentiful outside. A big lot makes arrival easy, even for larger vehicles and road-trip crews.
Restrooms on site are another practical perk. After a drive from the metro, that alone feels like a small victory.
A little preparation goes a long way here. Grab cash, clear some trunk space, and maybe pack a cooler for cheese and pies.
Old-school payment rules match the store’s old-school charm. It’s one more quirk that makes the place feel distinctly local.
Early Weekday Mornings Beat The Weekend Squeeze
Doors open at 8 AM every single day. Monday through Thursday, the store typically closes at 7 PM, while Friday through Sunday it stays open until 8 PM.
Weekends can get seriously crowded. Narrow aisles fill fast, which makes maneuvering strollers or mobility scooters tricky.
Weekdays are usually much easier to navigate. Showing up right at opening may give you the calmest shopping experience.
Plan for one to two hours inside. Rushing through feels like trying to read a novel by skimming chapter titles.
Summer brings extra energy, with school breaks and road trips. In colder months, a cozy indoor browse paired with a warm pie makes a great winter outing.
Temperatures inside can feel a bit warm during busy stretches. Dressing in layers is an easy fix.
Checking current hours before you leave is always smart. Holiday schedules and seasonal changes can occasionally shift the routine.
A little timing strategy pays off big. Arrive early, browse slowly, and you’ll have space to enjoy every quirky corner.
Why This Sweet Detour Earns A Spot On Your Minnesota List
Few road trip stops deliver candy, pie, puzzles, root beer, and movie statues in one swoop. Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store pulls it off with personality to spare.
The name sounds like a bold boast. After seeing the scale and variety, it reads more like a simple statement of fact.
Value lovers will appreciate the competitive pricing on many items. Sweet tooths will appreciate the endless options, from taffy to fudge to global treats.
Decor keeps the visit feeling fresh. Changing themes and overhead surprises give repeat visitors a reason to return.
It also proves a point Minnesotans love making. A rural stop in Scott County can outshine flashy big-city candy shops without breaking a sweat.
Bring cash, pick a weekday if possible, and leave room in the car. You’ll likely need it for that apple bread and a case of rare root beer.
Tag the friend who still talks about their favorite childhood candy. This could be the road trip that finally reunites them with it.
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