Gateway Farm Market & Candyland

My husband and I stopped into Gateway for the first time on our way back from Gettysburg. The variety of candy and liquor made my for a very enjoyable shopping experience!

Look man, I drove about half an hour out here based on a commercial. And what did I find? A whole store of candy you could just go buy at the dollar store. Like seriously, it’s not home made stuff; it’s just name-​brand candy you can get anywhere. I’m skeptical about the chocolates and truffles as well; most of them look pre-​packaged.
They do serve ice cream, but even that’s just name-​brand Baskin Robbins.
So ask yourself, why would you get off the highway to stop at some shop that sells the same stuff you can already find wherever you’re coming from?
This place gets a ²⁄₅ because it was clean and the girl at the cash register was nice. But this place is literally the definition of pointless.

What a great discovery for those enjoying Western Maryland! This was recommended by a local, so we decided to enjoy a nice day out and stop here. Turns out we had passed it many a time (on our way to Catoctin Orchard or even out to Gettysburg), but thought nothing of it. It might’ve been the liquor store it’s adjacent to, but it’s a good thing we decided to stop.
Although they have a nice, small market the main seller is the sea of candy. Everything from modern sellers to old time nostalgics, you’ll find something for everyone. Chocolates, mints, fruit candies, nut candies, licorice, soft candies, hard candies, etc.; you’ll even find sugar-​free candies for those who need them. It was like a walk through memory lane, and the main downside was buying way too much!
On top of the candy section, they also have a small ice cream and sno-​cone bar. One small warning: they call it «shave ice», but to those of us from Hawai‘i, it’s NOT shave ice… they’re selling sno-​cones. Other than that, the price is excellent; the small costs under a dollar and is way more than enough.
Staff were nice and helpful and it was great to stock up on sweets and enjoy a day out. If you’re passing along Route 15, then definitely stop here!

Great country store for fresh veggies, & tons of candy that you can buy, by the pound. Ton’s of homemade candy, sauces, and jams. The ice cream is awesome!

Ice cream was good, but policies are very customer unfriendly. Stopped there for the first time after picking up my kids at the Thurmont library. Had an impromptu ice cream trip with their group of friends. Got there after the rest of the group, so I had only myself and my son to pay for. Had no cash because I wasn’t planning on going to any stores. But i saw the Mastercard and Visa symbol on the door, so i wasn’t concerned.
Got our ice cream and went to pay our bill of $ 8.09. Was told that there was a minimum of $ 10 for credit cards. Policy was inflexible, I was told. Really couldn’t walk away because we had already been served the ice cream. So had to borrow $ 10 from another party (or buy more stuff I didn’t need). There wasn’t any sign on the door or register stating the $ 10 minimum, so it caught me off guard.
I own a retail business, so i understand the whole cost of credit cards thing. But I thought it was illegal to impose a minimum purchase requirement in Maryland. Even so, not too friendly.
Then my six-​year-​old son fell in the parking lot and skinned his knee. No biggie, kids do that. But I wanted to wash his knee with soap and water. Then was told «sorry, no public restroom».
Really?
The place is neat, but I’d prefer to deal with stores that care about their customers a little more.

I always accidentally stop at this place when I’m trying to find the liquor store a few miles farther down 15. I know the place I like is a liquor store combined with something strange, but I need to remember «hotel, not candy.»
Anyway, I love the novelty factor, but the booze selection here isn’t great, and the candy seems absurdly expensive.

Dear lord, the last time I went in here, I walked out with two pounds of candy. I gained several pounds as a result of that visit, but if you like penny candy from days or yore, then get your ass up the hill now for more candy than you’re brain knows what do do it.
Note: Credit card users, there is a $ 10 min. purchase for credit cards.

Great wine selection. Interesting candy selection. An odd little place right on I15. Give it a visit.

This is a nice stop off Route 15… it is in a mini strip mall that does not look like anything special from the outside (except – somewhat humorously – this strip mall consists of a liquor store on the far left, Candyland in the middle, and a church on the far right – all your needs rolled into one handy megamart of excellence!).
Once you are inside, the store is very nice. They have bulk candy that you can get in bags, novelty candy (licorice pipes, clear lollipops containing what appears to be a petrified insect, gummy eggs, etc.), fudge, maple sugar candy, and lots of other things. They have a wide variety of cookie cutters, colored sugar, and all types of novelty sprinkles (pigs, hearts, shamrocks, teddy bears), baking chocolate, and baking utensils.
There is a Hershey ice cream counter in the back of the store, and there are picnic tables in front of the store where you can sit and eat. They also have some produce, and the prices are good (89 cents a pound for sweet onions!). There are postcards of local historic sites and some ceramics and other artwork by local artists.
A variety of jams, sauces, and spices (McCutcheon’s and other brands) are along the back wall, and the prices on these items at Candyland are much lower than nearby places, such as the Catoctin Mountain Orchard. And finally, the aforementioned liquor store adjoins to Candyland… you don’t even have to walk outside!