A handful of coins, a paper bag, and enough candy to make your whole day!
Remember when picking out penny candy felt like the sweetest adventure in the world?
At Rau’s Country Store in Frankenmuth, Michigan, those childhood memories are waiting to come rushing back.
Spread across three stories, this old-fashioned sweet shop is packed with candy barrels, nostalgic treats, vintage signs, and unexpected treasures.
Every turn brings another reason to slow down, look around, and rediscover a favorite from years gone by.
And the best part? You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the magic.
Whether you’re craving a taste of the past or introducing your children to the candies you grew up loving, Rau’s Country Store makes nostalgia deliciously real.
Come hungry for memories, because one little bag might not be enough!
Step Into a Three-Story World of Nostalgia
Picture a store so big it needs three floors just to hold all its memories. Rau’s Country Store has been part of Frankenmuth for more than 50 years, and it still feels like stepping back in time the moment you walk through the door.
Inside, you will find over 20 rooms filled with old-fashioned sweets, collectibles, gifts, and throwback treasures. Every corner seems to hold something your parents or grandparents would point at and say, I used to have one of those!
That shared excitement is part of what makes a visit so special.
The store works almost like a museum where you are allowed to touch things and take some home. Wooden floors, packed shelves, and cheerful displays create a cozy, busy feeling.
It is the kind of place where you lose track of time without even trying.
A good tip is to go in with an open mind and no rush. Families often split up to explore, then meet back together to compare their favorite finds.
Half the fun comes from sharing what each person discovered along the way.
Find the Penny Candy That Takes You Back to Childhood
Grandpa once walked to the corner store with a nickel and came home with a bag full of treats. At Rau’s, that same simple joy is waiting in barrels and bins stuffed with penny candy favorites.
Look for classics like Mary Janes, with their chewy peanut butter and molasses flavor. Necco Wafers, those thin chalky discs in pastel colors, are here too.
You can also scoop up sparkling rock candy, striped candy sticks, and root beer barrels that taste like a frosty soda.
Fun fact: Necco Wafers date back to 1847, which makes them one of the oldest candies in America. Imagine soldiers and pioneers snacking on the same treat you can grab today!
Here is a sweet idea for families. Let each person pick one candy from their own childhood and explain why they loved it.
Kids often enjoy hearing these stories as much as tasting the candy. A small paper bag of mixed treats also makes a great take-home souvenir that costs far less than most trinkets.
Browse the Candy Selection Beyond the Classics
Not everyone in your group has to be a retro candy fan. Rau’s carries plenty of choices for every kind of sweet tooth, so even picky eaters can leave happy.
Licorice lovers can pick from red, black, and other fun flavors. Gummy fans will spot worms, bears, and fruity shapes in bright colors.
Then there is gourmet taffy, soft and stretchy, wrapped in little twists of wax paper in flavors you might never have tried.
Chocolate is on the menu as well, from simple bars to fancier treats. And if someone in your family needs to watch their sugar, sugar-free candies are available.
That means grandparents, diabetic friends, or health-minded shoppers can still join the fun.
One smart strategy is to try a single piece of something new along with your old favorites. Taffy is perfect for this because the pieces are small and the flavors are wild.
You might discover a new obsession, like cotton candy or key lime taffy, that turns into your next must-buy treat.
Hunt Down Old-Fashioned Sweets You Rarely See Today
Ever hear someone mention a Slo-Poke and wonder what on earth they meant? It is a chewy caramel lollipop, and finding one feels like spotting a rare animal in the wild.
Rau’s is a great place to go on a candy treasure hunt. Keep your eyes peeled for Squirrels, the nutty caramel chews many grown-ups remember from long ago.
You might also stumble across other retro treats that have mostly vanished from modern grocery store shelves.
Turning the visit into a game makes it even more fun. Make a short list of hard-to-find candies before you go, then see how many you can check off.
Ask older relatives what they ate as kids, and add those names to your list too.
When you do find a long-lost favorite, buy a few extras. Rare candies make wonderful surprise gifts for friends or family members who have not tasted them in decades.
Watching someone light up over a candy from their childhood is a reward that is hard to beat.
Visit the Famous Pickle Barrel
Sweet treats rule the shelves, but one salty superstar steals plenty of attention. Rau’s is known for its pickle barrel, and it might be the most crunchy surprise in the whole building.
The pickles come from Michigan farms, which gives them a local, homegrown touch. Fishing a big, juicy pickle out of a barrel feels wonderfully old-school, just like shoppers did in general stores a hundred years ago.
Back then, pickle barrels were a common sight, and people would snack while catching up on town news.
Pickles also make a smart break between candy bites. Their tangy, sour flavor wakes up your taste buds, so your next piece of chocolate tastes even better.
Some visitors swear by this sweet-and-sour combo.
Here is a tip for families with little ones. Grab a pickle to share while you browse, and keep a napkin handy because they can be drippy.
It is an inexpensive, quirky snack that kids will remember long after the trip is over, and it makes for a funny photo too.
Wander Three Floors Packed With Unexpected Finds
Grabbing a bag of candy and heading straight for the exit would be a big mistake. The real adventure at Rau’s begins when you climb the stairs.
With three floors and more than 20 rooms of merchandise, there is always another doorway to peek through. Each room has its own feel, almost like visiting a different little shop.
One space might be filled with gifts, while another is packed with quirky decorations or toys.
Plan to spend at least an hour if you want to see everything without hurrying. Wear comfy shoes, because you will be doing plenty of walking and climbing.
If you have small children, keep them close, since the rooms can get crowded on busy weekends.
A fun way to explore is to start at the top floor and work your way down. That way, you finish near the candy and can make your final picks last.
Take mental notes of items you love along the way, then circle back before checkout. You will be glad you did not miss a single room.
Shop for Retro Signs and Collectible Memorabilia
Follow the yellow brick road, and it just might lead you to a wall of retro treasures. Rau’s is full of reproduction metal signs and themed collectibles that turn ordinary shopping into a trip through pop culture history.
Fans of The Wizard of Oz will find items featuring Dorothy, Toto, and friends. Marilyn Monroe collectibles add a dose of old Hollywood glamour.
Metal signs show off classic soda brands, gas stations, diners, and other designs that look like they came straight out of the 1950s.
These pieces make great decorations for a bedroom, garage, kitchen, or game room. A single sign can add a lot of personality to a plain wall.
They are also easy gifts for that hard-to-shop-for relative who loves vintage style.
Before buying, think about where you will hang your sign and measure the space if you can. Some signs are small and cute, while others are big enough to become the center of attention.
Picking the right size helps your new treasure fit right in at home.
Uncover Treasures Beyond the Candy Aisles
Grandma’s coffee table probably had a lace doily on it, and you can find those very same kinds of pieces at Rau’s. The store stocks charming household items and gifts that help give it that true country-store spirit.
Delicate lace doilies, cozy jigsaw puzzles, and other nostalgic goods fill shelves throughout the building. These are the kinds of things that remind people of slower days spent at home with family.
A puzzle, for example, can turn a rainy afternoon into a fun group project.
Shopping here for gifts is easy because there is something for almost everyone. A teacher might love a pretty doily, while a cousin might enjoy a tricky puzzle.
Pair either one with a small bag of candy, and you have a thoughtful present that feels personal.
Keep an eye out for little things too. Small items are often tucked into corners or displayed on lower shelves.
Taking time to look closely can reveal hidden gems that other shoppers walk right past without noticing.
Make Rau’s Part of a Frankenmuth Shopping Day
Known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria, Frankenmuth is a town that loves its traditions. Rau’s sits on South Main Street, right where the action is, so it fits perfectly into a full day of exploring.
Start your morning by walking along Main Street and admiring the German-style buildings. Many families plan around a famous chicken dinner in town, then spend the afternoon visiting shops.
Rau’s makes a great stop after lunch, when everyone is ready for something sweet.
Give yourself plenty of time at the store. Rushing through three floors would mean missing much of the fun.
Plan for at least an hour, and longer if you love browsing.
Parking can get busy on weekends and during festivals, so arriving early is a smart move. Bring a tote bag to carry your purchases as you continue strolling downtown.
With candy in hand and a fresh pickle to snack on, you will be set for a memorable Frankenmuth adventure from start to finish.
Plan Your Visit to Rau’s Country Store
Good news for budget-minded travelers: there is no admission ticket needed to explore Rau’s. You can browse every floor for free and spend only on the treats and treasures you choose.
The store is located at 656 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734.
If you have questions before your trip, the listed phone number is (989) 652-8388. Calling ahead is a smart idea, especially around holidays when schedules may change.
Published hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
On Friday and Saturday, the doors stay open until 9 p.m., which makes evening visits easy. Weekday mornings are usually calmer if you prefer smaller crowds.
Before you go, set a candy budget so nobody gets carried away. Kids might enjoy getting a few dollars of their own to spend however they like.
That small lesson in choosing can make the trip even more meaningful. Then all that is left is to show up hungry, curious, and ready to rediscover the sweet side of childhood.
