A wooden barrel of pickles sits just steps from a wall of rock candy, and somehow it all makes sense. Three floors, more than twenty rooms, and tens of thousands of products wait inside one Michigan building that has been selling sweets since 1964.
I walked in expecting a few jars of candy and walked out with a bag of pickle taffy and a very full afternoon behind me. Keep reading and you will meet the sweets your grandparents grinned over, a basement full of tiny furniture, and a floor that creaks out its own hello.
You will also get the hours, the drive time, and a few tips that will save you from leaving with an empty bag.
A Sweet Surprise in Michigan’s Little Bavaria
Frankenmuth calls itself Michigan’s Little Bavaria, and the shop I came to see sits right in the middle of it. Rau’s Country Store is at 656 S.
Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, in the United States.
The building is easy to spot, tucked between Zehnder’s restaurant and Tiffany’s on the main drag. Painted signs and window displays pull you toward the door before you even decide to stop.
I parked, took one look at the windows, and knew my plans for a quick peek were doomed. The store has served this town for more than five decades, and locals treat it like an old friend.
Tourists wander in by the dozens, and many leave with arms full of bags. The Bavarian charm outside is lovely, but the real show happens past the front door.
Wait until you hear how this place got started, because the story goes back further than the candy.
How a Family Name Became a Frankenmuth Landmark
June 1, 1964, is the date that matters here. That is when Bill Rau opened the doors and started a sweet chapter for the town.
The Rau name was already part of Frankenmuth history. Gottlieb Henry Rau arrived in the early 1850s and became a hotel keeper in the young community.
Fast forward to the late 1950s, when the Zehnder family, owners of the famous restaurant next door, acquired the building. They invited the Raus to start a business inside it.
Bill’s father, a skilled salesman, helped shape the early store into a classic country shop. That teamwork between two well-known local families gave the place roots from day one.
I love when a store has a real story behind its shelves. It makes every jar and barrel feel a little more special.
Speaking of jars, the candy deserves its own chapter next.
The Candy Aisles That Sparked Instant Memories
Rootbeer Barrels, Mary Janes, and Necco Wafers all greeted me before I made it ten steps. The shop is known as Michigan’s oldest and largest candy store, and the shelves back up that claim.
Rock candy glittered in one spot, while rows of candy sticks stood at attention nearby. I also spotted Squirrels, Zots, and Slo-Pokes, names I had not said out loud in years.
Baskets of loose candy make it easy to build your own bag. Some pieces cost just a few cents, so a handful of treats will not break the bank.
There is licorice, gummy candy, chocolate, and even a sugar-free section. Everyone in the family can find something to love.
My bag filled up fast, and I did not mind a bit.
But the sweetest surprise comes in a flavor you may not expect.
Taffy Flavors That Make You Do a Double Take
Saltwater taffy is a big deal here, and the variety is wide. Fans who return year after year call it the best around.
Then there is the flavor that makes people laugh out loud. Yes, you can buy pickle taffy, and yes, I tried it.
The first chew is sweet, and then the tangy surprise arrives. It is silly, memorable, and a fun dare for friends.
If pickle is too bold, plenty of fruity and classic options wait beside it. The soft pieces come in bright wrappers that look great in a gift bag.
I tucked a few into my pocket for the drive home. They survived about twenty minutes.
Speaking of pickles, the store has a barrel that deserves a close look.
The Pickle Barrel and Its Famous Aroma
Somewhere between the peppermint and the popcorn, a tangy scent floats through the air. Follow your nose and you will find the famous Pickle Barrel.
The wooden barrel holds Michigan grown pickles, ready to scoop and take home. It feels like a scene from a general store of long ago.
Dill and brine mix with the sweet smells of the candy aisles. That odd pairing somehow works, and it becomes part of the memory.
Plenty of shoppers grab a pickle as a snack or buy a jar as a souvenir. I did both, and the crunch was worth the stop.
It is a small detail, but it shows how far the store goes to keep old traditions alive.
Head upstairs next, because the building keeps going.
Three Floors and Twenty Rooms of Wandering
My feet did a lot of work here. The store spreads across three floors and more than twenty rooms, and every turn leads somewhere new.
Old wooden floors creak with each step, adding a soft soundtrack to the trip. Nooks and corners hide everything from home goods to games.
Estimates put the stock somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 products. That is a lot of treasure to sort through.
The layout helps, because crowds spread out across the levels. Even on busy days, I found quiet spots to browse.
Give yourself at least an hour, and bring comfortable shoes. I lost track of time more than once.
Down in the basement, things get very small indeed.
A Tiny World Waiting Downstairs
Downstairs, a quieter world appears. The Doll-House and Miniature Department is packed with tiny furniture and teeny accessories.
Collectors will spot pieces for building small rooms from scratch. Even if you do not collect, the detail is fun to admire.
I leaned in close to tiny chairs and miniature kitchen items. The craftsmanship is impressive for something smaller than my hand.
The basement also holds a sports corner with Michigan, Michigan State, Tigers, and Lions gear. Fans can pick up a team souvenir without leaving the building.
It is calm down there, a nice break from the busy main floor.
Back upstairs, the gift selection is next on my list.
Gifts, Signs, and Souvenirs Galore
Need a present in a hurry? This is your stop.
Retro metal signs cover the walls, from vintage ads to funny garage slogans. Fans of John Deere, The Wizard of Oz, and Marilyn Monroe will find themed items to hunt through.
Jewelry, soaps, lotions, puzzles, and auto coasters fill other shelves. Personalized items like yo-yos, cups, and license plates add a fun twist.
Michigan pride shows up in magnets, shirts, and more. One shopper even found a Michigan magnet and a dark chocolate bar in the same trip.
The prices felt fair, which made saying yes easy. My gift list was done before I knew it.
Next up are the cozy home touches that feel like grandma’s house.
Doilies, Decor, and Grandma’s House Vibes
Lace doilies sit in neat stacks, and they sent me straight back to my grandmother’s living room. There are hand towels and table textiles in cute and vintage styles too.
The decor section goes well beyond fabric. Candles, canvas art, wall signs, kitchen helpers, and garden accents all wait for a new home.
Seasonal pieces rotate through, so each trip can look a little different. I found a few ideas to freshen up my own kitchen.
The country style feels warm without being heavy. Each item has a homey look that fits many rooms.
If your house needs a hug, start here.
The best part of the store, though, is how it feels as a whole.
Sights, Sounds, and Smells All at Once
Rau’s works because the nostalgia is not limited to products printed with vintage logos. The building itself helps create the experience.
The store describes its wide-plank hardwood floors as part of the feeling of stepping backward in time. Its historical marker likewise mentions well-worn floorboards and the scent of the old-fashioned pickle barrel as enduring pieces of Rau’s identity.
Then candy adds another layer.
Wax bottles, Zots, chocolates, licorice, taffy, and other sweets fill shelves with bright colors, while the wooden pickle barrel provides a decidedly less sugary smell nearby.
It is an odd sensory combination, but that is precisely why it sticks with you.
The building also has genuine history behind those creaks. A historical marker notes that the structure began as Hotel Goetz in 1902 before eventually becoming home to Rau’s.
The store expanded in 1981 when a basement was added and its floor space doubled.
So those old-fashioned surroundings are not entirely stage dressing.
Some of the atmosphere comes from a building that has been part of Frankenmuth for generations.
Slow down while you browse.
Look at the floors, signs, barrels, shelves, and little details between the merchandise.
At Rau’s, shopping is only half the attraction.
The feeling of the place is what follows you home.
Fun for Grandparents and Grandkids Alike
Few stores make nostalgia work equally well for several generations, but candy gives Rau’s an advantage. Adults can hunt for sweets they remember from childhood while kids discover the same treats without any idea that they are supposed to be “old-fashioned.”
That is exactly how Michigan’s tourism office presents the experience. Its Rau’s listing encourages visitors to share nostalgic candy with children, friends, coworkers, and clients—or simply revisit the flavors themselves.
The selection makes that easy.
A grandparent may recognize Mary Janes or Slo-Pokes, while a child heads straight toward gummies, rock candy, brightly colored taffy, or wax bottles. Nobody needs to agree on the same favorite.
Candy is only the beginning.
Puzzles, signs, apparel, home accessories, collectibles, seasonal merchandise, and other gifts give family members something to browse when their sweet tooth finally runs out.
The three-floor, 20-plus-room layout also turns shopping into exploration rather than a simple march down one candy aisle.
Try giving everyone a small candy budget and comparing choices afterward.
That can be more entertaining than simply buying one large bag for the group.
And when an older visitor recognizes something they have not seen for decades, ask about it.
The best souvenir may turn out to be the story that comes with the candy.
Hours, Directions, and Tips for Your Visit
Rau’s currently opens at 10 a.m. every day. Official store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The address is 656 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, and the phone number is 989-652-8388. The Frankenmuth Convention & Visitors Bureau also lists Rau’s as handicap accessible.
Driving is straightforward. Rau’s estimates Frankenmuth at roughly 1.5 to two hours north of Detroit via I-75 and about 15 to 20 minutes from Saginaw.
The city’s tourism office provides detailed approaches from I-75, with Main Street only several miles from the highway exits.
Give yourself at least an hour if you genuinely enjoy browsing. Three floors and more than 20 rooms are difficult to appreciate when you are watching the clock.
Comfortable shoes help too, especially if Rau’s is only one stop during a full day walking downtown Frankenmuth.
One final tip: do not stop after the first candy display.
Explore the other rooms, check the pickles, browse the signs and home goods, and look for something you have not seen since childhood.
Rau’s has lasted since 1964 by selling more than merchandise.
It sells the pleasure of remembering.
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