Somewhere in Minnesota, a family has been twisting peppermint candy canes by hand since 1928. Not stamped out by some giant machine, but rolled and shaped the slow, old-fashioned way.
That alone made me curious. Then I learned the same shop sells chocolate-covered caramel treats called Alligators and keeps a stash of discounted imperfect candies behind the counter, if you know to ask.
I like how this place sits in a quiet south metro suburb instead of a flashy downtown. It’s a candy store and working factory under one roof, with five generations of recipes inside.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a road trip with a sweet tooth riding shotgun. So who’s ready to find out where those striped beauties come from, and what else hides on the shelves?
A Working Candy Factory Disguised As A Friendly Suburban Shop
Candy factories usually live in storybooks, not suburban business districts. Abdallah Candies Factory & Shop proves otherwise, sitting right in Apple Valley, Minnesota, south of the Twin Cities.
The setup is simple and a little genius. One side of the building handles the candy making, while the other side welcomes shoppers into a large, sweet-smelling retail space.
Yes, the scale matters here. The shop floor is roomy enough that first-timers sometimes need staff to point them toward specific treats, and those staff members are known for being helpful.
Shelves are organized by interest, so milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and nut-filled goodies each get their own zones. That makes browsing feel less like a scavenger hunt and more like a guided tasting tour.
What really sets the place apart is ownership. Abdallah describes itself as family-owned across five generations, with original recipes refined along the way.
That kind of staying power is rare anywhere, let alone in a candy business. Big-city chocolate boutiques come and go, but this Minnesota family operation keeps turning out treats people plan trips around.
Generations Of Family Recipes Behind Every Box
Family businesses rarely make it past the second generation. Abdallah has reached the fifth, which feels like a small miracle in a sugar-coated wrapper.
The company says it has spent over five generations perfecting original recipes. That’s a lot of birthdays, holidays, and Valentine’s rushes handled by the same family name.
Hand-rolled candy canes are a big part of the legend. According to the family story, those peppermint canes have been crafted by hand since 1928, long before most modern candy brands existed.
Think about how much the world has changed since then. Cars, radios, and phones have been reinvented countless times, yet the candy cane method has stayed stubbornly old-school.
That stubbornness is a gift to anyone who loves tradition. Minnesotans tend to cherish places where recipes don’t chase trends, and this shop fits that description perfectly.
Holiday candies also carry family weight for many shoppers. Special Christmas and Easter selections often become part of seasonal routines, landing on dessert tables and in stockings year after year.
It’s heritage you can actually unwrap. Few history lessons taste this good.
Peppermint Canes With A Story Older Than Your Grandparents
Most candy canes come from enormous machines that spit out thousands per hour. The ones tied to this Minnesota family follow a far slower path, shaped and twisted by hand.
That hands-on method traces back to 1928. Every stripe reflects a technique passed from one generation to the next, rather than a factory setting on a control panel.
Why does handmade matter for something so simple? Because small variations in each twist remind you a real person made it, and that charm never gets old.
Candy canes are typically a holiday-season item, so timing your visit around Christmas makes sense. The shop’s festive shopping season gets plenty of praise for its cheerful selection.
These canes also make an easy gift for coworkers, teachers, or neighbors. Tucked into a stocking, one tells a story that a dollar-store version never could.
Here’s a fun bit of trivia for the car ride. Candy canes have been a Christmas fixture for centuries, but handmade ones have grown rare as mass production took over.
Finding a family still doing it the old way feels like a genuine Minnesota win.
Alligators, Grizzlies, And Toffee Worth Fighting Over
Alligators might be the most delicious animals in Minnesota. At Abdallah, they’re a fan-favorite combination of pecans, caramel, and chocolate, and they disappear fast.
Their cashew cousins, the Grizzlies, bring a nutty crunch of their own. Both treats have earned loyal followings well beyond state lines, which says a lot about their staying power.
Toffee lovers get plenty to chew on, too. Options have included Milk Chocolate English Toffee, Butter Almond Toffee, and a playful Cinnamon Churro Toffee.
Caramel fans aren’t left out. Sea Salt Milk Chocolate Caramels balance sweet and salty, while chocolate-covered caramels and caramel candy bars round out the chewy lineup.
Don’t overlook the dark chocolate side of the case. Dark Chocolate Orange Peel, Creamy Lemon, and Creamy Key Lime offer brighter, fruitier flavors for anyone who likes contrast.
Truffles, square meltaways, and peanut butter cups fill out even more shelf space. Samples are sometimes set out, which is both thoughtful and slightly dangerous for your willpower.
Big-city chocolatiers would be proud of this lineup. Here, it’s just another weekday in Apple Valley.
A Peek Through The Factory Window And Beyond Chocolate
Few candy shops let you watch the magic happen. Abdallah includes a viewing window where shoppers can catch treats being made, which turns a quick errand into a mini field trip.
Kids tend to love that kind of thing. Honestly, so do adults who secretly wanted a factory tour ever since reading about golden tickets.
Staff members also share plenty of knowledge. They’ve been known to explain the different fine chocolates and the processes used to create them, so feel free to ask questions.
Not everything here is chocolate, either. Lemon drops, round soft-center mints, and caramel apples give non-chocolate fans something to celebrate.
The caramel apples come up often among shop favorites. They’re a classic Midwestern treat that pairs nicely with a fall drive through the south metro.
Chocolate color choices go beyond the usual, too. Shelves offer dark, milk, and white chocolate, plus green chocolates that add a fun twist to the display.
Variety like this means nobody in your group walks away empty-handed. Even the person who claims they don’t like sweets usually finds something.
The Secret Shelf Of Imperfect Bargains
Smart shoppers head toward the back of the store first. That’s where Abdallah keeps its discounted imperfect candies, usually behind the counter.
These treats have small cosmetic flaws, but they taste the same as their prettier siblings. Prices on imperfects have often been around half off, which is a sweet deal by any measure.
Imperfect peanut butter cups are a popular grab. Nobody at home will care about a lopsided top once they take a bite.
There’s another insider move worth knowing. The shop typically runs a monthly special that’s available only at the physical store, not online.
One past example was a No-Frills box of milk and dark chocolate mints. Since these deals sit behind the counter, you’ll need to ask staff about them directly.
Thrifty Minnesotans will appreciate this setup. You get handmade, family-recipe candy without paying boutique prices, and the overall pricing is often described as reasonable.
It’s the kind of tip worth passing along to friends. Tag the one who always hunts for deals, because they’ll thank you later.
Gift Shopping That Practically Wraps Itself
Gift shopping stress melts fast in this shop. Abdallah stocks far more than candy, with cards and non-food gifts for all ages spread throughout the store.
Themed items cover plenty of occasions. Past displays have featured pet, lake, baby, Minnesota, and Father’s Day gifts, so finding something personal rarely takes long.
Free gift wrapping is another perk shoppers appreciate. That small touch saves a scramble with tape and scissors right before a party.
Special orders are possible, too. Custom four-piece boxes have been prepared for wedding receptions, arriving on time and ready to impress guests.
Holidays bring the biggest crowds of gift seekers. Christmas and Easter candies are seasonal highlights, and festive shopping here has earned a reputation as a cheerful tradition.
Can’t make it in person? Online ordering is available, and gift boxes have been shipped to happy recipients as far away as Virginia and Southern California.
That reach says plenty about quality. A little Apple Valley candy shop sending treats coast to coast is exactly the kind of Minnesota pride worth sharing.
Hours, Directions, And When To Make Your Move
Timing matters when your sweet tooth sets the schedule. The shop is typically open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sundays are closed, so don’t plan a lazy weekend finale here. Hours can shift around holidays, so a quick check before heading out is a smart move.
You’ll find the shop at 6075 147th St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124. It’s an easy drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul, making it a natural add-on to a south metro outing.
Parking near a suburban shop beats circling downtown blocks any day. That convenience alone might win over anyone tired of big-city errands.
Give yourself time once inside. The store is large, the selection is wide, and choosing favorites can take longer than expected.
Bring your list, but stay flexible. Monthly specials and imperfect deals may tempt you toward something you never planned to buy.
Weekday mornings could be a calmer window for browsing. Holiday weeks, meanwhile, bring that festive buzz many shoppers enjoy.
Why This Sweet Stop Belongs On Your Minnesota Bucket List
Some traditions deserve a road trip. A family still hand-rolling candy canes after nearly a century easily qualifies.
Abdallah Candies Factory & Shop blends history, craftsmanship, and plain old fun. You get a working factory, a huge gift shop, and recipes guarded by five generations.
Families will find plenty to love. Kids can watch through the viewing window, while adults stock up on caramels, truffles, and Alligators for the week ahead.
Bargain hunters get their own reward. Imperfect candies and in-store monthly specials make premium chocolate surprisingly friendly on the wallet.
Friendly staff tie the whole experience together. Helpful guidance and knowledgeable answers make even a first visit feel easy.
Minnesota has a knack for hiding big flavor in small-town packages. This Apple Valley shop is proof that you don’t need a fancy downtown address to rival the best confectioners anywhere.
So grab a friend, plan a drive, and leave room in the trunk. A box of handmade candy canes might just become your new holiday tradition, too.
Share this story
