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Look Inside Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store

Even Willy Wonka would be gobsmacked.

There’s an overwhelming amount of awesome candy in here.
Katie Cannon

Driving through the rolling hills of Southern Minnesota farm country, there are plenty of idyllic views of the expected: a few cows milling about, colorful tree branches swaying in the wind and the soaring eagle. Which is why it’s impossible for the eyes traveling down Highway 169 not to be jarred awake by the bright yellow sign promising the Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store at Jim’s Orchard.

The banana taffy colored sign is impossible to miss.
Katie Cannon

This candy wonderland is ground zero for the sugar lover. It’s only open seasonally, through the warm months and at this time of year, we October is shuddering into November, the days for visiting are numbered. The last day is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, this year that’s November 27.

Taffies.
Katie Cannon

Inside treats costs as little as a quarter and range from classics, hard-to-find nostalgic sweets and new fangled deals (bacon or habanero-spiked things.)

Fancy chocolate for you grown up types.
Katie Cannon

The key to a successful visit is to bring a wad of cash, since this is a good old fashioned fun time, they don’t accept credit cards.

You can literally go bananas in here.
Katie Cannon

The candy store is a part of Jim’s Orchard. It’s an apple orchard that’s still run by a family who has deep roots in this part of the country with roots in Scott County dating back to the 1930’s.

Successfully chasing the candy dragon.
Katie Cannon

The orchard has been operating for over 37 years and the big yellow barn that was converted into the candy shop doesn’t carry just candy, but it’s also where you can pick up pies and other homemade goodies. Plus, there are apples and caramel apples that act has a sticky, tasty bridge between the two worlds.

Wearable candy is always a hit.
Katie Cannon

It was 2005 when after a couple of bad years for apples helped owner and operator Robert Wagner embrace the sweet side of a downturn and stock the barn with over 3,000 different kinds of candy, all sectioned out by type.

Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store at Jim’s Orchard is open at 20430 Johnson Memorial Drive 9:00 am to 7:00 pm weekdays and from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on the weekends.

There are candies from all over the world here.
Katie Cannon
It’s a across from Gum Drop Lane.
Katie Cannon
Crazy idea: what if we put the lemon drops on the gummy pizza?
Katie Cannon
I want to be a pretty, pretty princess!
Katie Cannon
We told you there would be bacon candy.
Katie Cannon
There’s a phone booth, but no actual phone number for the store.
Katie Cannon
Swirly, twirly sugar sticks.
Katie Cannon
Love and pie are the keys to living happily ever after.
Katie Cannon
Jamming on the one.
Katie Cannon
Everything from old school classic Crush to small craft brands are available in the pop section.
Katie Cannon
These Japanese sodas have a little ball pop top.
Katie Cannon
Bit-O-Honey!
Katie Cannon
Katie Cannon