This Michigan Country Store Still Stocks The Old-School Penny Candy You Grew Up With

Mary Janes, Zots, Slo-Pokes, and Necco Wafers are still sitting in bins here, waiting for you. Right next to them sits a wooden barrel of dill pickles. Yes, candy and pickles share the spotlight.

The store has been selling sweets since June 1, 1964. It fills three floors and more than 20 rooms inside a turn-of-the-century building. That’s a lot of space for jawbreakers, licorice, and retro tin signs.

I like how this Michigan shop treats nostalgia like a real treasure hunt. Rootbeer Barrels and rock candy feel like a phone call from your childhood.

I can’t imagine leaving without a paper bag that’s heavier than planned. So which old favorite will you grab first? And how long before you wander upstairs to see what else is hiding in all those rooms?

Your Sweet Tooth Will Recognize Every Bin In The Front Room

Rau’s Country Store calls itself Frankenmuth’s oldest and largest candy store. That’s a bold title, and the candy lineup backs it up.

The classics are all here. Mary Janes, Squirrels, Zots, and Slo-Pokes share space with Necco Wafers and Rootbeer Barrels.

Many of these names vanished from regular grocery shelves years ago. Finding them together feels a little like spotting old friends at a reunion.

Bulk candy is a big part of the fun. You can mix and match small amounts instead of buying a giant bag of one thing.

That makes it easy to build a sampler for the whole family. Grandpa gets his Squirrels, and the kids can try Zots for the first time.

Jawbreakers, lollipops, hard candies, and candy sticks round out the old-school list. Rock candy is here too, sparkling like it belongs in a museum case.

A smart move is to make a mental list before you start. The choices can get overwhelming fast, especially with kids pulling you in four directions.

Then again, maybe wandering without a plan is the whole point. Some of the best finds happen when you aren’t looking for them.

Nobody Warned You A Pickle Barrel Would Steal The Show

Pickles in a candy store sound like a mix-up. At Rau’s, the famous dill pickles come straight from a wooden barrel.

The store describes them as Michigan-grown. That gives this salty snack some real hometown pride.

A barrel pickle is about as old-school as a general store gets. Long before vending machines, country shops kept snacks like this right on the floor.

Seeing one today feels charmingly out of time. It fits right in with the creaky wooden floors and the jars of hard candy.

There’s also a practical reason to grab one. After a few rounds of taffy and lollipops, your taste buds might beg for something tangy.

A crunchy dill pickle resets everything. Think of it as the palate cleanser nobody expected in a sweets shop.

The pickle love even shows up in the candy aisle. Pickle-flavored taffy has been spotted on the shelves, which is either genius or a dare.

Try one and decide for yourself. Worst case, you’ve got a funny story for the car ride home.

Best case, you’ve discovered a strange new favorite worth bragging about.

Taffy, Licorice, And Gummies Deserve Their Own Lap Around The Store

Chewy candy fans, this part is for you. Taffy, licorice, gummies, and marshmallow treats take up plenty of room at Rau’s Country Store.

Taffy is one of the store’s best-known treats. The variety is wide, with flavors that run from classic to downright quirky.

Licorice comes in the familiar ropes and twists. It’s a candy that people either adore or avoid, and there’s rarely any middle ground.

Gummies bring a more modern twist to the mix. They’re perfect for kids who haven’t quite warmed up to Necco Wafers yet.

Shopping by color is another fun option here. The store organizes some candy by shade, which is handy for parties and holidays.

Planning a blue birthday or a red and green Christmas table? A color-themed candy bowl is an easy way to impress guests.

Sugar-free treats are available too. That means someone watching their sugar can still join the fun.

One helpful tip is to buy a little of several kinds. Chewy candies are easy to split, so the whole car can share on the drive home.

Three Floors Means You Should Clear Your Afternoon

Most candy shops fit in one room. Rau’s spreads across three floors and more than 20 rooms, which changes your whole game plan.

There’s a basement level, a main floor, and an upstairs to explore. Each room seems to hold a different category of treasures.

The building dates back to the turn of the century. Old wooden floors add to that classic country store feeling with every step.

Because the space is so big, pacing yourself matters. Don’t spend your whole budget in the first room you see.

Take a full lap first, then circle back for the things you can’t stop thinking about. Your wallet will thank you later.

Families should agree on a meeting spot before splitting up. With so many rooms, it’s surprisingly easy to lose track of a curious kid.

The hours are generous too. The store typically opens at 10 AM and stays open into the evening every day.

Friday and Saturday hours stretch even later. That leaves plenty of time to browse slowly after a big family dinner in town.

Retro Tin Signs Could Turn Your Garage Into A Time Capsule

Walls covered in metal signs are hard to walk past. Rau’s carries reproduction retro signs that bring back the look of old gas stations and diners.

These aren’t just for collectors. A single tin sign can give a plain garage, basement, or man cave instant personality.

The selection runs from funny to classic. Some feature old brand-style designs, while others carry jokes that make a great gag gift.

Flags and canvas art also share the decor space. So do magnets, perfect for anyone who wants a small souvenir instead of a big one.

Here’s a helpful idea for gift shopping. Pick a sign that matches someone’s hobby, whether that’s fishing, farming, or old cars.

John Deere fans will find themed items too. That makes the store a solid stop for anyone with a farm-loving relative back home.

Measure your wall space before you go if you can. It’s easy to fall for a sign that turns out to be bigger than your free spot.

Then again, a great sign can always find a new home. Rearranging the garage is half the fun.

Grandma’s Favorite Room Might Be The One With Lace Doilies

Lace doilies are having a quiet comeback. At Rau’s Country Store, they sit alongside teaware, candles, and cozy home decor.

This corner of the store feels made for anyone who loves a classic kitchen. Tea sets, nightlights, and kitchen items bring a gentle, old-fashioned touch.

Doilies are surprisingly useful. They protect tabletops, dress up a dresser, and make a plain shelf look finished.

Bath and body products and candles make easy gifts. They’re simple to pack, which matters if you’re traveling home from Michigan by plane.

Garden decor adds even more options. A small yard piece can be a fun reminder of your trip every time you water the flowers.

This is a great section for shopping with older relatives. Many of these items echo the homes they grew up in.

You might even hear a story or two while you browse. Something about a doily on Grandma’s table can start a whole memory chain.

Grab one for yourself while you’re at it. A little lace on a side table looks sweeter than you’d guess.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Is A Shelf Of Wizard Of Oz Goodies

Dorothy fans, get ready to click your heels. Rau’s carries Wizard of Oz merchandise, a perfect fit for a store built on nostalgia.

Marilyn Monroe memorabilia shows up too. Between the ruby slippers and Hollywood glamour, this section feels like a classic movie night.

These themed items make great gifts for longtime fans. They’re often easier to love than a random souvenir with a town name on it.

Puzzles are another popular pick at the store. Some come from well-known brands like Ravensburger, which puzzle lovers tend to recognize right away.

A puzzle makes a smart souvenir for a rainy weekend. It’s a whole afternoon of entertainment tucked in a box.

Playing cards, toys, and jewelry fill in the gaps. There’s even apparel and purses for anyone hunting a wearable keepsake.

The variety here makes it easy to shop for a tough person on your list. Movie buff, puzzle fan, or jewelry lover, all are covered.

Write down a few names before you go. Holiday shopping might be finished before you even reach the candy counter.

Sixty Years Of Sugar Is A Pretty Sweet Track Record

June 1, 1964, was opening day for Rau’s Country Store. That makes it a Frankenmuth fixture for more than half a century.

Think about how much candy has changed since then. Plenty of brands came and went, yet this shop kept the classics on hand.

The building itself has even deeper roots. It’s a turn-of-the-century structure, adding history long before the first jawbreaker hit the shelves.

Staying open that long takes more than luck. It takes a clear identity, and this store has always leaned hard into old-fashioned charm.

That’s part of why it appeals to so many generations. Grandparents can share their childhood treats while kids discover them fresh.

Families often turn a stop here into a tradition. A candy bag on every trip becomes something everyone looks forward to.

If you’re starting your own tradition, take a photo each visit. Watching the kids grow beside the same candy bins is pretty adorable.

A store that’s lasted this long deserves a little celebration. Buying a Mary Jane counts, right?

Main Street Makes This Stop Too Easy To Skip Past Accidentally

Finding Rau’s Country Store is simple. It sits at 656 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, right along the town’s busy shopping strip.

Frankenmuth is one of Michigan’s most popular tourist towns. That makes this store an easy add-on to a day of strolling and snacking.

Because it’s on Main Street, you can walk over from nearby shops. Leave the car parked and make the candy run part of your stroll.

It’s also a great place to pick up souvenirs. Michigan magnets, local sports gear, and gifts make it easy to bring a piece of the trip home.

Sports fans can find items for teams like the Tigers and Lions. That’s a handy pick for anyone back home who bleeds Detroit colors.

Planning a visit is easy thanks to the long hours. The store usually opens at 10 AM and stays open well into the evening.

Save it for the end of your day if you can. That way, your candy stash stays fresh for the drive home.

Just try not to eat it all before you leave Michigan.