The AppleHouse
Victoria, Minnesota
By Nicole Thom-Arens
Published in 2023
The home of the Honeycrisp apple is right here in the Upper Midwest, and you can buy them at the site where they were created from the AppleHouse located just southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The AppleHouse, a picturesque warehouse near the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, is an apple-lover's dream. It sells Honeycrisps and other apple varieties along with everything else apple related. The AppleHouse is truly a quintessential fall destination.
All the apples sold at the AppleHouse are grown at the University of Minnesota Horticulture Research Center on site. Each year, fruit breeders plant three- to five-thousand new trees in search of new varieties according to orchard manager, Jim Elskamp. He says they’re searching for apples with a nice crunch and even better flavor. The AppleHouse, he says, is a unique place.
“We sell only Minnesota-grown apples,” Jim said. “A lot of what we develop right here on site is in the AppleHouse all the time. It’s a neat place with a little bit of history of the University of Minnesota.”
All the apples sold at the AppleHouse are grown at the University of Minnesota Horticulture Research Center on site. Each year, fruit breeders plant three- to five-thousand new trees in search of new varieties according to orchard manager, Jim Elskamp. He says they’re searching for apples with a nice crunch and even better flavor. The AppleHouse, he says, is a unique place.
“We sell only Minnesota-grown apples,” Jim said. “A lot of what we develop right here on site is in the AppleHouse all the time. It’s a neat place with a little bit of history of the University of Minnesota.”
Treacy Welch is the retail manager at the AppleHouse. She says people flock to the AppleHouse for Minnesota-grown apples.
“They know when they come here that these apples have been picked sometimes within the last few hours. You’re going to guarantee you’re going to get fresh, good-tasting apples every time,” Treacy said. “We’ve done all the picking for you, so if you don’t want to pick your own, this is the place.”
“They know when they come here that these apples have been picked sometimes within the last few hours. You’re going to guarantee you’re going to get fresh, good-tasting apples every time,” Treacy said. “We’ve done all the picking for you, so if you don’t want to pick your own, this is the place.”
Treacy’s favorite variety is the Sweet Tango. She says everyone tastes apples differently. She only tastes the sweet of the Sweet Tango, but someone else may find it more tart. Treacy says it is crucial you store your apples in the fridge because cold apples are crunchier and juicier.
The AppleHouse partners with Minnesota and Upper Midwest companies to bring special products to customers. It sells frozen pies and crisps that are “out of this world,” according to Treacy, and the apple strudel from Ruhland’s Strudel is worth the drive alone, she says.
The AppleHouse partners with Minnesota and Upper Midwest companies to bring special products to customers. It sells frozen pies and crisps that are “out of this world,” according to Treacy, and the apple strudel from Ruhland’s Strudel is worth the drive alone, she says.
Because they are part of the University of Minnesota, the AppleHouse has a special partnership with the university’s meat department. They sell the department’s specialty brats—one with blueberries, wild rice, and maple syrup; another with apples; and one made in honor of the University of Minnesota’s head football coach, P. J. Fleck, called “Row Your Boat,” which features cheese from the university’s dairy department and a local beer.
Outside the AppleHouse, visitors can grab a table in the shade and enjoy apple cider donuts made to order from North Star Donuts. North Stars Donuts uses the cider sold in the AppleHouse to make the mini donuts they coat with cinnamon sugar hot from the fryer. They also sell apple slushies, hot apple cider, and coffee from Driven Coffee, a local roaster just five minutes away from the AppleHouse (Driven Coffee’s beans are also sold in the AppleHouse).
While outside, visitors are met with a mound of squash and pumpkins surrounding a cute structure reminiscent of an old well. The University of Minnesota Horticulture Research Center grows five acres of pumpkins and squash annually. There are several baking or decorating varieties available to purchase.
The AppleHouse is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from August until mid- to late-December. Apples and squash will be available to purchase while supplies last. In November and December, the AppleHouse opens a holiday boutique for festive shopping.
You can find the AppleHouse at 7485 Rolling Acres Rd, Victoria, Minnesota. All proceeds from the AppleHouse support the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum research and general operations.
You can find the AppleHouse at 7485 Rolling Acres Rd, Victoria, Minnesota. All proceeds from the AppleHouse support the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum research and general operations.