Minn Dak Market: More Than a Taste of Home
A Simunic RedHawks jersey, pickled watermelon and Uff Da! tees. Minn Dak Market at West Acres packs three states of gifts into one stop.
A gray RedHawks jersey with “Simunic” across the back. A framed photograph of the 2006 Minnesota Vikings. These might not be the first things shoppers expect to find at a market known for regional foods and gifts, but they help explain why Minn Dak Market deserves a little extra browsing.
Located in the JCPenney wing of West Acres, the store brings together artisan gifts and foods from North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Its shelves offer an introduction to businesses from across the region, while its souvenirs and team-themed merchandise give shoppers other ways to express where they’re from and who they cheer for.
From Holiday Pop-Ups to a Permanent Home
Minn Dak Market’s year-round presence at West Acres began on May 15, 2019, following two successful holiday pop-up markets. What had been a seasonal shopping opportunity became a permanent place to find products from across the three-state region.
Years later, this is still one of the very best stores in town.
A Regional Pantry
Food is a natural starting point. The store carries North Dakota honey, flavored creamed honey, jams, syrups and gift assortments built around regional snacks. Berry Dakota’s juneberry and honeyberry products are among the options, alongside crab apple jelly and caramel apple butter. They have meats. They have popcorn. They have nuts. They even have pickled watermelon.
The shelves hold Bloody Mary and sweet jalapeño pickles, pickled asparagus, beets and eggs, along with sauerkraut.
And, of course, they have sweets. Wiley Wallaby licorice, Sweet Chaos popcorn and a colorful display of freeze-dried candy make easy stocking stuffers, a movie-night assortment or a little something extra tucked into a larger gift. GIANTS sunflower seeds come in flavors such as Taco Tuesday and dill pickle, other shelves hold Dot’s pretzels and snack mix, and nearby rows of seasonings and bottled sauces suit someone who loves cooking or grilling.
For the Fan on Your List
The sports displays give shoppers another reason to slow down. We were taken aback by the RedHawks jersey bearing the name “Simunic” and No. 33. For longtime local baseball fans, that surname carries considerable history: Doug Simunic managed the RedHawks during their inaugural 1996 season and remained with the club into 2017, accumulating 1,202 wins and five league championships.
A familiar name on a jersey or an older team photograph can prompt a conversation that a more generic gift would not.
A framed 2006 Vikings team photograph offers a different sort of time capsule. Elsewhere, shoppers will find Minnesota Twins merchandise, North Dakota hockey-themed flags and glassware, and South Dakota State Jackrabbits décor. That variety matters when shopping for someone whose favorite gift is tied to a team rather than an occasion.
Puzzles, Tees and a Little Uff Da
There are shelves of puzzles, including boxes featuring artwork by Michael Birawer and Adam Turman. Colorful city scenes and outdoor imagery appear among the 500- and 1,000-piece selections, a good fit for a quiet weekend, a cabin stay or someone who likes a project spread across the table. Metal decorations bring wildlife, military, sports and welcome-sign themes.
There are smaller expressions of regional identity, too, with Fargo-themed tote bags and an “Uff Da!” T-shirt. You can also find books such as 100 Things to Do in Fargo Before You Die, Alicia Underlee Nelson’s guide to exploring the community.
Build-Your-Own Gift Packs
Minn Dak Market also offers ready-made gift packs, build-your-own options and customized assortments, including larger orders. Those could suit a thank-you gift for a host, a care package for someone who has moved away or a welcome gift for someone getting to know the region. Choosing individual products makes the assortment personal rather than a single standard combination.
Good to Know
Where: West Acres Shopping Center, 3902 13th Ave. S., Fargo, in the JCPenney wing
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Gift packs: ready-made, build-your-own and custom assortments, including larger orders
Stop In at West Acres
Bring the list, and leave room for the thing you didn’t know you were looking for. Call 701-532-1371 to ask about custom gift packs, or browse minndakmarket.com. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram at @minndakmarket.
Hungry for more North Dakota-made finds? Here are 22 Pride of Dakota products to watch for on your next shopping trip.
Read It in the Magazine
Published November 14, 2026
