Minnesota's Largest Candy Store

Last updated
Minnesota's Largest Candy Store
FormerlyJim's Apple Farm
Company type Private
Founded 1960s [1]
FounderHerbert R. "Hippy" Wagner [2]
Headquarters Jordan, MN,
United States of America
Number of locations
1
ProductsCandy, baked goods, soda
OwnerRobert Wagner
Number of employees
150 [3]
Website https://minnesotaslargestcandystore.business.site/

Minnesota's Largest Candy Store is a family-owned candy store located along U.S. Route 169 in Jordan, Minnesota. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] The business is known for its distinctive yellow building, extensive candy selection, pop-culture-themed decor, and puzzle collection. [9] [10] [11] The store closes during the winter months and is cash-only. [12]

Contents

History

The store has its roots in Jim's Apple Farm, another Wagner family business, though the land was sold into the Wagner family in 1900. [13] [14] [15] [16] At first, the business focused on selling apples, as the University of Minnesota had invested a great deal in Minnesota's apple industry. [17] [18] [19] [20] The business was successful, but remained relatively small, as travelers would buy apples and pie, and then continue traveling. [4]

At a certain point, Robert Wagner decided to begin selling candy as well, mostly focusing on old-fashioned American candies, such as salt-water taffy. [16] This also allowed the business to open earlier and close later in the season. While Robert did not intend the candy to become permanent, his daughter, Christine, pushed him to keep it available. Unlike apples, candy sales grew exponentially. [16]

In the mid-2000s, a series of hailstorms devastated three consecutive years' worth of crops. [16] Facing this financial burden, the family decided to rely more on candy sales. [16] The gamble was successful, and the family began investing more heavily in candy, eventually building the yellow barn on the site. [4] The building has been expanded numerous times, most recently to include a planetarium-like dome on its north end. [11]

In 2019, a car crashed into the side of the candy store, causing more than $50,000 in losses. Even so, the store did not close and the hole in the building was repaired by the time the store opened for business. [21]

Later in 2019, following a string of cash register robberies in Scott County, the candy store placed a 16-ton Abbot tank in its parking lot as a tongue-in-cheek deterrent. [22]

The store initially closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but re-opened as an essential business on May 8, 2020. [23] [24] [25] During this time, it provided free advertising for local restaurants seeking to advertise take-out services. [26]

Controversies

The store has several billboards on its property, which it uses to attract motorists' attention and advertise its products. [27] They have caused controversy in the past. [28]

Black Lives Matter

In October 2015, the store posted a message on a billboard, which read "Join The Movement #caramelapplesmatter." [29] [30] Robert Wagner, the owner of the store, apologized for the message and called it "a mistake." [30]

Five years later, in July 2020, an employee with access to the company Facebook page replied to a message stemming from the original #caramelapplesmatter billboard by insulting the sender and by saying "all lives matter." The store first believed it had been hacked, but then revealed that a longtime employee had sent the messages; the employee was fired. [31] [32] The store issued an apology, saying "The...messages by no means reflect the views of the owners or the Jim’s Apple Farm family as a whole" and "[w]e sincerely apologize that this event occurred and are in the process of determining action going forward." [31] [33]

Climate Change

During an April snowstorm in 2018, the store posted a billboard that read "In Only Two Years Trump Fixed Global Warming." [28] [34] While some passing motorists interpreted this as support for Donald Trump, Wagner said the message was intended to "convince [motorists] to stop." [11] Even so, Wagner has donated at least $1,000 to Donald Trump's 2020 re-election campaign. [35]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xcel Energy Center</span> Multi-purpose arena in St. Paul, Minnesota

Xcel Energy Center is a multipurpose arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Completed in 2000 and often called "The X" by fans, it is named for its locally based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 17,954, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three for general seating. The building is home to the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Frost of the PWHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whole Foods Market</span> American natural and organic foods supermarket chain and subsidiary of Amazon

Whole Foods Market, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon, is an American multinational supermarket chain headquartered in Austin, Texas, which sells products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. A USDA Certified Organic grocer in the United States, the chain is popularly known for its organic selections. As of March 4, 2019, Whole Foods has more than 500 stores in North America and seven in the United Kingdom.

Dayton's was an American department store chain founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1902 by George Draper Dayton. It operated several local high-end department stores throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest for almost 100 years. Although it was regionally known as a high-quality shopping destination, Dayton's is best remembered for starting the discount shopping chain Target. The company was also instrumental in the history of shopping malls, opening the first indoor shopping mall in the United States—Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota, in 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweethearts (candy)</span> Heart shaped candies with printed messages

Sweethearts are small heart-shaped sugar candies sold around Valentine's Day. Each heart is printed with a message such as "Be Mine", "Kiss Me", "Call Me", "Let's Get Busy", "Miss You", or "I'm Yours". Sweethearts were made by the New England Confectionery Company, or Necco, before being purchased by the Spangler Candy Company in 2018. They were also previously made by the Stark Candy Company. Necco manufactured nearly 8 billion Sweethearts per year. Similar products are available from Brach's and other companies. A similar type of candy is sold in the UK under the name Love Hearts; while similar in formulation to Sweethearts, Love Hearts are round, with the heart design and message embossed on their surface.

Outfront Media, Inc. is one of the largest outdoor media companies. It operates in markets including the United States and Canada. The Americas division is led by chief executive officer Jeremy Male. Outfront Media operates both billboards and transit displays.

37signals is an American web software company based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was co‑founded in 1999 by Jason Fried, Carlos Segura, and Ernest Kim as a web design company.

Quad, formerly named Quad/Graphics, is an American marketing services and commercial printing company headquartered in Sussex, Wisconsin. Services provided include copywriting, design, data analytics, technology consulting, and managed services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M&M's World</span> Retail store in Mall of America

M&M's World is a retail store that specializes in M&M's candy and merchandise. The first location was on the Las Vegas Strip in 1997, with others in Orlando, Florida, New York City, London, Henderson, Nevada, Shanghai, Bloomington, Minnesota and Berlin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaska High School</span> Public high school in Chaska, Minnesota, United States

Chaska Senior High School (CHS) is a public high school located in Chaska, Minnesota, United States, a southwestern suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. CHS is a 9–12 grade school that is attended by more than 1,500 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnsville High School</span> Public high school in Minnesota, USA

Burnsville High School (BHS) is a four-year public high school in Burnsville, Minnesota, United States. Burnsville is a southern suburb about 15 miles south of Minneapolis. The school is part of Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191, which covers most of Burnsville, as well as parts of the surrounding cities Savage and Eagan, and small parts of Shakopee and Apple Valley. Most of the incoming freshmen come from Eagle Ridge and Nicollet Middle Schools. The school mascot is Sparky, a humanoid with a fireball for a head. Burnsville High School athletics are a part of the South Suburban Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pearson's Candy Company</span> American chocolate and confectionery manufacturer

Pearson's Candy Company is an American chocolate and confectionery manufacturer headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded as a confectionery distribution firm in 1909, the company began to manufacture its own products in 1912. Originally a family-owned company, Pearson's experienced changes in ownership, acquisitions and product alterations in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, before its most recent sale in November 2018 to Spell Capital, a Minneapolis private equity firm.

Timothy A. Sanders is an American politician serving as the mayor of Blaine, Minnesota, since 2021 and a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 37B, which included parts of Anoka County, in the northern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, from 2009 to 2017, having decided not to seek reelection in 2016.

Miss Me Yet? refers to a series of roadside advertisements that first appeared in February 2010. It featured former U.S. President George W. Bush's image waving and smiling from a billboard over the words "MISS ME YET?", presumably as a critique of Presidential successor Barack Obama's performance in office.

Charlie Vig is the former Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota. Vig served as the Vice Chairman from January 2012 until August 2012. He then served as chairman from August 2012 to January 2020. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is the most influential Native American tribe in Minnesota and the single-largest benefactor for Indian Country nationally.

Rene Pais, better known by his stage name Syn Cole, is an Estonian DJ and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell Bank</span> Privately owned bank

Bell Bank is a privately owned bank headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, with assets of $13 billion. Bell Bank, which employs more than 1,900 people, has 27 full-service banking locations in North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona, and mortgage locations in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin. State Bankshares is Bell Bank's parent company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yung Gravy</span> American rapper (born 1996)

Matthew Raymond Hauri, known professionally as Yung Gravy, is an American rapper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Messages</span> Messaging application developed by Google

Google Messages is a text messaging software application developed by Google for its Android and Wear OS mobile operating systems. It is also available as a web app.

George Floyd was an African American man who was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020. He was memorialized via events, protests, artwork installations, organizations, official designations, and campaigns.

IT’SUGAR is an American candy store chain. They have over 100 locations in the United States and Canada, mostly located in shopping malls and tourist areas.

References

  1. ↑ Strasburg, Michael (2019-05-23). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store grows out of family apple stand". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  2. ↑ Smith, Kelly (2016-12-02). "Herbert "Hippy" Wagner, idea man, apple grower and piemaker, dies at 91". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  3. ↑ Sawyer, Liz. "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store sends up the bat signal for customers". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  4. 1 2 3 Krohn, Tim (2016-11-30). "Jim's Apple Farm founder a generous entrepreneur". Mankato Free Press. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  5. ↑ "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  6. ↑ "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store". Explore Minnesota. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  7. ↑ Kennedy, Audrey (May 9, 2023). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store reopens for 2023 season". Axios .
  8. ↑ Strickler, Jeff (May 28, 2015). "Day trip: Jordan is much more than you see from the highway". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  9. ↑ "MN's Largest Candy Store re-opens with super ceiling". kare11.com. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  10. ↑ Blood, Rachel (2021-06-24). "MN's Largest Candy Store more than just sweets — it's home to vast puzzle collection, too". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  11. 1 2 3 Sawyer, Liz. "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store sends up the bat signal for customers". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  12. ↑ Strasburg, Michael (2019-12-25). "What goes on at Minnesota's Largest Candy Store in the winter?". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  13. ↑ "Property Report Card". February 22, 2024.
  14. ↑ Jonas, Trent (2022-10-27). "Spanning Several Buildings, The State's Largest Candy Store Is Hiding In This Tiny Minnesota Town". OnlyInYourState®. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  15. ↑ "Videos". FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Strasburg, Michael (2019-05-23). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store grows out of family apple stand". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  17. ↑ Meyer, Mary H. (October 1, 2020). "100 years of University of Minnesota apple breeding". The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  18. ↑ Tepe, Emily (October 21, 2019). "Historic apples of Minnesota: Looking back to move forward". Minnesota Fruit Research. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  19. ↑ Luby, James; Fennell, Anne (February 2006). "Fruit Breeding for the Northern Great Plains at the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University" (PDF). HortScience. 41 (1): 25–26 – via ResearchGate.
  20. ↑ "How about them apples? U of M talks about its apple breeding program in Minnesota". Alexandria Echo Press. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  21. ↑ Strasburg, Michael (2019-08-13). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store maintains sense of humor in wake of crash". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  22. ↑ Strasburg, Michael (2019-11-18). "After 'Mr. Grinch' steals cash registers, Minnesota's Largest Candy Store calls in the artillery". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  23. ↑ "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store plans to reopen May 8". FOX 9. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store plans weekend opening with state's OK". kare11.com. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  25. ↑ "Obituary for Herbert R. (Hippy) Wagner". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  26. ↑ Strasburg, Michael (2020-04-28). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store uses signs to boost local restaurants". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  27. ↑ "'There Is A Cop Hiding Behind This Sign': The Story Behind A Popular Scott County Billboard - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  28. 1 2 Nelson, Joe (2018-04-04). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store is also highway entertainment". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  29. ↑ Staff, Munchies (2015-10-07). "A Candy Store Tried to Use the 'Black Lives Matter' Campaign to Sell Caramel Apples". Vice. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  30. 1 2 "Jordan Candy Store's Sign Causes Social Media Uproar - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  31. 1 2 Nelson, Joe (2020-07-24). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store fires worker over offensive messages". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  32. ↑ "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store fires employee after 'disgusting' social media messages". kare11.com. 2020-07-24. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  33. ↑ Strasburg, Michael (2020-07-24). "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store fires employee after vulgar messages go viral". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  34. ↑ "MN's Largest Candy Store Dips Into Political Waters With Sign (Again) - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  35. ↑ "Browse Individual contributions". FEC.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-23.

44°39′15″N93°41′06″W / 44.65411561055559°N 93.68507739524073°W / 44.65411561055559; -93.68507739524073

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.