Minnesota's Largest Candy Store
A family-owned roadside candy retailer in Jordan, Minnesota, known for its yellow building, broad confectionery selection, unusual decor, and seasonal operation.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Minnesota's Largest Candy Store is a family-owned roadside confectionery retailer located along U.S. Route 169 in Jordan, Minnesota. The business developed from Jim's Apple Farm, a Wagner family agricultural enterprise with roots reaching back to land acquired by the family in 1900. Its early commercial activity centered on apples and related products, including pies, serving motorists traveling through the area. The farm remained comparatively small because many visitors purchased produce and continued on their journeys rather than spending extended time at the property. The business later added candy, initially emphasizing traditional American sweets such as salt-water taffy. Robert Wagner reportedly viewed candy as a temporary or supplementary offering, but his daughter Christine encouraged the family to keep selling it after demand grew rapidly. Unlike the seasonal apple crop, candy allowed the business to extend its operating season and attract customers for a different reason. Candy eventually became the principal identity of the roadside attraction. A major turning point came in the mid-2000s, when hailstorms damaged three consecutive years of apple crops. The resulting agricultural losses pushed the Wagner family to depend more heavily on confectionery sales. The strategy succeeded, leading to increased investment in the candy operation and the construction of the store's distinctive yellow barn-like building. The structure has been expanded several times, including a planetarium-like dome on its northern end. In addition to candy, the site is known for pop-culture-themed displays, an extensive puzzle collection, and a visually conspicuous roadside presence. The store's merchandising is built around variety, novelty, and destination retail rather than a narrowly defined premium-candy proposition. Its assortment includes old-fashioned sweets and other confectionery products, while its building, decorations, billboards, and roadside location contribute to the experience. The business has also become known for unusual public-facing gestures, including the placement of a 16-ton Abbot tank in the parking lot after a series of cash-register robberies in Scott County in 2019. The tank was presented as a tongue-in-cheek deterrent rather than as a conventional security program. Minnesota's Largest Candy Store operates seasonally and closes during the winter months. It is cash-only, a policy that distinguishes it from many contemporary retailers and shapes the practical experience of visiting the store. In 2019, a vehicle crashed into the building and caused losses reported at more than $50,000, but the family repaired the damage before reopening for business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the store initially closed and later reopened on May 8, 2020, after being treated as an essential business. During that period it also offered free advertising to local restaurants promoting takeout services. The brand has attracted both attention and criticism through messages placed on billboards and social-media channels. A 2015 billboard using the hashtag '#caramelapplesmatter' prompted an apology from owner Robert Wagner. In 2020, an employee responded to a related social-media message with insulting language and an 'All Lives Matter' statement; the employee was dismissed and the family apologized. Another billboard, posted during an April 2018 snowstorm, stated that Donald Trump had fixed global warming. Wagner said the message was intended to make motorists stop and read it, although some interpreted it as political advocacy. The store therefore combines roadside entertainment and promotional humor with a history of communications that have generated controversy.
History
Minnesota's Largest Candy Store traces its origins to Jim's Apple Farm, a Wagner family business in the Jordan area of Minnesota. The family's connection to the property dates to 1900, when the land was sold into the Wagner family. The original enterprise was agricultural and focused on apples, reflecting the importance of apple cultivation in Minnesota and the University of Minnesota's investment in developing the state's apple industry. Travelers on the nearby road would stop for apples and pies, but the operation remained relatively modest because customers generally made quick purchases before continuing their journeys. The enterprise later began selling candy alongside its agricultural products. Robert Wagner initially concentrated on old-fashioned American confectionery, including salt-water taffy, and did not necessarily expect candy to become a permanent core business. His daughter Christine advocated retaining the offering after customers responded strongly. Candy sales expanded much faster than the apple business and provided an important operational advantage: unlike apples, candy could be sold over a longer part of the year and was not dependent on a single crop. The agricultural basis of the business was severely tested in the mid-2000s. Hailstorms destroyed three successive years of apple harvests, placing substantial financial pressure on the family. In response, the Wagners made a strategic decision to rely more heavily on candy. The shift proved successful, and the family invested in a dedicated retail structure. The resulting yellow barn became the visual centerpiece of the attraction and was enlarged repeatedly. The most recent expansion described in the reference material added a dome resembling a small planetarium to the north end of the building. The store's identity developed beyond the sale of sweets. Its roadside setting, bright yellow architecture, pop-culture decoration, extensive puzzle collection, and billboards helped turn it into a destination for motorists. Its product range is associated particularly with variety and nostalgia, including traditional candies and caramel apples. The business is family-owned and remains connected to the broader Jim's Apple Farm operation, even though candy retail has become its defining activity. In 2019, a vehicle crashed into the building and caused more than $50,000 in losses. The store continued operating and repaired the damaged section in time for its seasonal opening. Later that year, after a series of cash-register robberies in Scott County, the business installed a 16-ton Abbot tank in its parking lot. The display functioned as a tongue-in-cheek security statement and became another example of the store's unconventional roadside presentation. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily interrupted operations. The business initially closed but reopened on May 8, 2020, after being regarded as an essential business. It also supported nearby restaurants by allowing them to advertise takeout offerings without charge. The store's operating model remains seasonal, with closure during winter, and it is known for accepting cash only. Public messaging has been a recurring source of attention. In October 2015, a billboard used the phrase '#caramelapplesmatter,' which was criticized in connection with the Black Lives Matter movement. Robert Wagner apologized and described the message as a mistake. In July 2020, a person with access to the business's Facebook page replied to a message about the earlier billboard with insulting language and an 'All Lives Matter' statement. The business initially suspected hacking, then disclosed that a longtime employee had sent the messages. The employee was fired, and the owners apologized while distancing the comments from the family's views. A separate billboard posted during an April 2018 snowstorm stated that Trump had fixed global warming in two years. Wagner said the objective was to persuade motorists to stop and read the sign, but the message was widely open to political interpretation. The reference material also notes that Wagner donated at least $1,000 to Donald Trump's 2020 reelection campaign. These incidents have made the store notable not only for its merchandise and architecture but also for its provocative, sometimes controversial roadside communications.
- 2020
Pandemic reopening
[1]After an initial COVID-19 closure, the store reopens on May 8 and helps local restaurants advertise takeout.
- 2019
Vehicle damages the store
[1]A car crashes into the building, causing reported losses exceeding $50,000; repairs are completed before the store reopens.
- 2019
Abbot tank installed as a humorous deterrent
[1]The store places a 16-ton tank in its parking lot after cash-register robberies in Scott County.
- 2018
Global-warming billboard controversy
[1]A billboard posted during an April snowstorm makes a claim about Donald Trump and global warming and is interpreted by some motorists as political messaging.
- 2015
Caramel-apples billboard controversy
[1]A billboard using the hashtag '#caramelapplesmatter' draws criticism, followed by an apology from Robert Wagner.
- 2005
Crop losses accelerate the shift toward candy
[1]A series of hailstorms in the mid-2000s damages three consecutive apple crops, prompting the family to depend more heavily on candy sales.
- 1900
Wagner family acquires the property
[1]The land associated with the later Jim's Apple Farm and candy store enters the Wagner family.
Candy is added to the apple business
[1]Robert Wagner introduces traditional candy, including salt-water taffy, and Christine Wagner encourages the family to continue selling it after demand grows.
Products and positioning
A seasonal, family-owned destination candy store that combines a broad and nostalgic confectionery assortment with roadside spectacle, themed decor, and an unusual agricultural-farm heritage.
Confectionery
Traditional American candy
The store's central assortment is a broad selection of nostalgic and old-fashioned American sweets. Salt-water taffy is specifically associated with the business, while the wider range supports its positioning as a high-variety roadside candy destination rather than a focused single-product shop.
Apple confectionery
Caramel apples
Caramel apples connect the candy store to its origins as Jim's Apple Farm. They also became part of the store's public identity through billboard advertising and combine the agricultural heritage of the property with its confectionery-led retail model.
Gift and leisure merchandise
Puzzles
A puzzle collection forms part of the store's broader attraction and merchandising environment. The puzzles complement the candy assortment and contribute to the destination-retail character of the yellow building.
Controversies
2020
Controversial Facebook replies by employee
A longtime employee used the company's Facebook account to insult a correspondent and post an 'All Lives Matter' statement related to the earlier billboard. The employee was fired and the store issued an apology.
2018
Political interpretation of global-warming billboard
A billboard about Donald Trump and global warming was interpreted by some motorists as political advocacy, despite Wagner's explanation that it was intended to attract attention.
2015
Caramel-apples billboard criticized
A billboard using '#caramelapplesmatter' was criticized as an inappropriate reference to the Black Lives Matter movement. Robert Wagner apologized and called it a mistake.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Global-warming billboard
United States
During an April snowstorm, the store posted a billboard claiming that Donald Trump had fixed global warming in two years.
Outcome. Wagner said the purpose was to make motorists stop and read the billboard, although some interpreted it as an endorsement of Trump.
- 2015Caramel Apples Matter billboard
United States
A roadside billboard used the hashtag '#caramelapplesmatter,' echoing language associated with the Black Lives Matter movement and attracting criticism.
Outcome. Robert Wagner apologized and described the message as a mistake.
Brand decisions
2020
Reopen during the COVID-19 pandemicStrategyBackground
The store initially closed in response to the pandemic.
Action taken
It reopened on May 8, 2020, after being treated as an essential business, and offered free advertising to local restaurants promoting takeout.
Aftermath
The business resumed operations while providing promotional support to nearby restaurants.
2019
Install an Abbot tank as a robbery deterrentOtherBackground
The decision followed a string of cash-register robberies in Scott County.
Action taken
The store placed a 16-ton Abbot tank in its parking lot as a tongue-in-cheek deterrent.
Aftermath
The tank became another distinctive feature of the roadside attraction.
2005
Increase reliance on candy after repeated crop failuresStrategyBackground
Hailstorms damaged three consecutive apple crops in the mid-2000s, creating financial pressure for the family agricultural business.
Action taken
The Wagner family shifted emphasis toward candy sales and invested more heavily in a dedicated candy-store operation.
Aftermath
Candy sales proved successful and became the defining business of the site.
Recent events
- 2020
Minnesota's Largest Candy Store reopens during the COVID-19 pandemic[1]
Regulation · Other
After initially closing during the pandemic, the business reopened on May 8, 2020, and provided free advertising for local restaurants offering takeout.
- 2019
Car crashes into Minnesota's Largest Candy Store[1]
Other
A vehicle struck the side of the store, producing more than $50,000 in reported losses. Repairs were completed before the business opened for the season.
- 2019
Store places an Abbot tank on its property after local robberies[1]
Other
Following a series of cash-register robberies in Scott County, the store placed a 16-ton Abbot tank in its parking lot as a humorous deterrent.
Sources1 sources
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