Our Minneapolis hotel put Candyland close enough to become a very dangerous neighbor. This is the kind of place where the smell of freshly popped corn reaches you before you have decided what to buy, then the rows of candy and handmade treats make leaving with one thing nearly impossible.
Candyland carries more than 200 varieties of candy, but the shop is not simply a wall of packaged sweets. Its team makes caramel and chocolate treats on site and air pops fresh popcorn throughout the day. That working candy shop energy is what gives the visit its nostalgia.
We walked in for a quick look and walked out holding two bags beneath a sign that has been there in spirit since 1932.
The surprise is the name on the most famous bag. Chicago Mix® did not begin in Chicago. The original trademarked blend belongs to Minnesota’s Candyland.
From Flavo Korn to a Minnesota institution
The first shop opened in downtown Saint Paul in 1932 as Flavo Korn, selling popcorn and fudge. Arnie Kelsey became the sole owner in 1938. Candy and chocolates joined the selection in 1950, when the shop took the Candyland name.
Doug and Brenda Lamb bought the business in 1981 after Doug had started working there as a teenager. Brenda later combined seasoned popcorn, caramel corn and cheddar cheese popcorn. The shop began branding the blend as Chicago Mix in 1988 and secured the federal trademark in 1992.
A family business built one batch at a timeStart with the bag that tells the story.
Chicago Mix®
Seasoned popcorn, caramel corn and cheddar cheese popcorn mixed together fresh in the shop. It is Candyland’s best known flavor and the reason the Minnesota origin story surprises so many people.
Fine chocolates
The chocolatiers make caramel and chocolate treats in the stores, giving the shelves more personality than a typical candy shop.
Pick a childhood favorite
With more than 200 candy varieties, part of the fun is spotting something you have not seen in years.
One more treat
Fresh popcorn is made throughout the day, and the candy selection makes a second bag easy to justify.
Our first recommendation: Try Chicago Mix® while you are there. The contrast between salty seasoned popcorn, cheddar and caramel is the product tied most closely to Candyland’s story.
The details worth knowing
Visit the active Minneapolis shop
The 27 South 7th Street location is open. Candyland’s former Nicollet Mall shop is listed as indefinitely closed.
Popcorn is made all day
The shop air pops corn throughout the day and mixes Chicago Mix® for customers on site.
Leave room in the bag
The store also carries handmade chocolates, caramels, fudge, nuts and old fashioned candies.
Current hours: Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Hours can change, so check Candyland’s official site before visiting.
