Somewhere outside Milaca, there is a store with no air conditioning, daylight pouring through skylights, and a bargain section that locals guard like a family secret. Folks around here simply call it The Amish Store, and they tend to tell all their friends about it.
The shelves hold bulk flours, spices, jams, boots, fabric, and even horseshoes, all at prices that make a grocery receipt look like a typo. Next door, a bakery turns out fresh treats on its busiest days of the week.
For Minnesota food lovers, bulk bakers, and day-trippers who enjoy an old-fashioned treasure hunt, this place is worth the drive. Keep reading to learn when to go, what to bring, and how to stretch every dollar.
A Plain Store on 55th Avenue
Out in the farm country of central Minnesota, a modest building on a quiet road has earned a loyal following without a single neon sign.
Its official name is Sunrise Sales, and it sits at 11482 55th Ave, Milaca, MN 56353, in the United States. Most locals, though, know it by a simpler nickname: The Amish Store.
The business is Amish owned and operated, and it works as a classic general store. That means groceries, bulk baking supplies, work wear, kitchenware, household goods, and handmade items all share one roof.
There is also a bakery right next door. Shoppers often treat the two as a single stop, grabbing pantry staples in one building and fresh goods in the other.
Milaca itself is a small town in Mille Lacs County, and the store sits in the rural stretch outside it. That setting is part of the appeal for anyone looking to swap a big-box parking lot for a slower kind of errand.
The store holds a 4.8-star average from 75 people, which says plenty about how often shoppers leave happy. Still, the real story is what fills those aisles, and that starts with a lesson in how the building is lit.
Skylights Instead of Switches
Electric bills are not a big concern here.
The store runs without air conditioning and depends mostly on skylights for its lighting. That off-grid approach fits the Amish way of life, and it shapes the experience inside in some practical ways.
Regular shoppers suggest picking a mild, sunny day for a trip. Bright weather means better light in the aisles, and a moderate temperature keeps things comfortable since there is no cooling system on hot summer afternoons.
Winter is not a problem, either. The building has sufficient heat during the cold months, so a January supply run is perfectly doable.
A restroom is available on site as well. That is a welcome detail for anyone driving in from the Twin Cities or farther away.
Some people expect a dim, gloomy space when they hear about a store with no electric lights. In reality, the setup simply asks shoppers to plan around the sun a little, much like the folks who run the place do every day.
It is a small adjustment, and it gives the trip a feel that no suburban supermarket can copy. Of course, the light only matters because of what it shines on next.
Bulk Bins That Bakers Dream About
Home bakers, take note: this is where the pantry gets serious.
Bulk foods are the most talked-about part of the store. Shelves hold large quantities of flours, sugars, grains, cereals, and oats, all at prices that make stocking up feel smart rather than indulgent.
Health-minded cooks find plenty to like too. The selection includes items such as unsweetened shredded coconut, coconut oil, flax, bulk wheat, dried fruit, and cocoa and other baking ingredients.
One family of eight has been shopping here since around 2018, including at the store’s previous location. That kind of loyalty says a lot about how well the bulk aisles handle a busy household.
For crafters of the kitchen variety, the payoff is simple. Buying in larger amounts means fewer trips to town and more room in the budget for experiments.
Shoppers often mention that the bulk shopping alone is worth the drive. Many come for flour and spices and leave with a trunk full of extras they never planned on.
Speaking of spices, they deserve a spotlight of their own.
Spices, Jams, and a Wall of Jars
Some aisles are built for browsing, and the jar section here is one of them.
The store carries a huge selection of jellies and jams, enough that choosing just one can become a small project. Many shoppers grab a jar on their way out, almost as a souvenir of the trip.
Herbs and spices line the shelves too. Regulars make a point of coming back specifically for their spice refills, which tells you the value holds up visit after visit.
Cheese is another quiet favorite. Blocks have recently been priced around $3.20 per pound, a number that gets people talking.
Homemade noodles and an assorted crunch snack have also made fans over the years. These homemade items give the shelves a personal touch that a chain grocery simply cannot match.
For food-focused day-trippers, this section is where a modest budget stretches the furthest. A handful of jars, a bag of spices, and a block of cheese can fill a basket without emptying a wallet.
And that brings up the corner of the store that true bargain hunters head to first.
The Bargain Section in Back
Every good general store has a secret corner, and this one sits toward the back.
The bargain section, also described as a discount grocery area, is a must-check stop for regular shoppers. Its contents change, so each visit can turn up something different.
That unpredictability is exactly the fun. Bargain hunters treat it like a treasure hunt where the prize is a lower grocery bill.
Prices across the store are often called absurdly good, and the discount area pushes that even further. It is the part of the trip that makes the idea of filling a wagon for a small sum feel realistic.
A smart strategy is to swing by the bargain shelves before loading up elsewhere. That way, any surprise deals can shape the rest of the shopping list.
Many people say they never leave empty-handed, and this section is usually the reason. Even shoppers who came in for one bag of flour find themselves walking out with a few unexpected finds.
Of course, groceries are only half the inventory. The other half heads in a much more rugged direction.
Horseshoes, Boots, and Fabric Bolts
Few grocery runs include a stop at the horseshoe aisle.
Here, it is part of the deal. The store stocks horseshoes and trimming items, a nod to the horse-and-buggy lifestyle of the surrounding community.
Right nearby, an aisle of fabrics draws crafters and sewers. Shoppers often mention that pairing of fabric and horseshoes as a favorite, mostly because it is so wonderfully unexpected.
Work wear has a place on the shelves too. Reed’s boots are sold here, and one longtime shopper credits them with getting through a cold Minnesota winter in much better shape.
Kitchenware, batteries, and some tools round things out, though the tool selection leans toward the practical Amish style rather than a hardware-store lineup. Shoppers say the store has a little bit of everything, with tools being the lighter category.
Animal feed is also available. That makes the stop handy for hobby farmers and backyard flock keepers in the area.
It is the kind of inventory that reminds you a general store was once the center of rural life. Next door, another building carries on a different tradition.
The Bakery Next Door
Timing is everything when it comes to the bakery.
Thursday and Friday are known as baked goods days, and regulars plan their trips around them. Those are the days when the selection is at its fullest.
The lineup includes fry pies in a wide range of flavors, along with breads, cookies, and rolls. Shoppers have spotted the ladies busy at work in the bakery, turning out batch after batch.
Fry pies come up again and again as a highlight. Many people call the bakery just as impressive as the general store itself.
A fair heads-up: one shopper once ended up with fry pies that seemed past their prime. Arriving on a fresh baking day is the simplest way to get the best of the batch.
The bakery sits right beside the store, so it is easy to hit both in a single trip. Plenty of people finish their grocery shopping first and treat the bakery as the reward at the end.
Beyond food, the property offers one more practical service that keeps locals coming back.
Handcrafted Goods and Neighborly Help
Not everything on the shelves comes off a delivery truck.
The store sells hand crafted woodwork, homemade household goods, and other crafts and gifts. These items appeal to anyone who appreciates work done by hand.
For Minnesota crafters, it is a chance to see traditional skills on display. For gift shoppers, it is a way to find something more personal than a mall find.
Propane refills have long been part of the business too. One note from a shopper explains that the propane filling spot has since moved and is no longer at this exact location, so it is wise to ask in person before bringing tanks.
The staff draws steady praise for being helpful, humble, and genuinely friendly. Many people describe a kind, welcoming atmosphere and a very clean store.
That warmth comes with one simple request. Because the store is Amish owned and operated, guests are asked not to photograph the people who run it.
Respecting that wish keeps the visit pleasant for everyone. It also leads naturally into the question of who will enjoy this place most.
Hours, Cash, and Trip Planning
A little planning goes a long way out here.
Sunrise Sales is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The store is closed on Sundays.
It also closes on certain religious holidays, such as Ascension Day. Checking the calendar ahead of time can save a wasted drive in spring.
Cash is the golden rule. Shoppers repeatedly advise bringing cash, so stop at an ATM in town before heading out.
Thursday or Friday works best for anyone who wants the full bakery spread. A mild, sunny day makes the skylit aisles easiest to browse.
The store tends to suit bulk bakers, budget-minded families, crafters, hobby farmers, and food-focused day-trippers. It is also a fun outing with a friend or neighbor, since the browsing turns into conversation fast.
Leave some room in the trunk. Most people say they never leave empty-handed, and the bulk bags add up quickly.
With the logistics settled, all that is left is deciding whether the trip is worth it.
Worth the Drive to Milaca
Some stores sell groceries, and some sell an experience along with them.
This one manages both. Bulk flours, spices, jams, cheese, boots, fabric, horseshoes, and fresh bakery goods all wait under a roof lit by the sun.
The prices keep budget shoppers smiling, and the bargain section rewards anyone willing to poke around. Add friendly, helpful staff and a clean, calm atmosphere, and it is easy to see why the 4.8-star average holds strong.
It is not a place for rushing. The lack of air conditioning and electric lighting means planning around the weather, and cash is a must.
Those small quirks are part of the charm, though. They slow the trip down in a way many shoppers seem to enjoy.
Many people say the store is worth visiting at least once just to see the values for themselves. Judging by how many come back again and again, once rarely turns out to be enough.
So grab some cash, pick a sunny Thursday, and point the car toward Milaca. The pantry, and the wallet, will both be glad you did.
Share this story
