A scene in downtown Jordan on Saturday afternoon, an exceptionally warm February day in Minnesota.
JORDAN, MINNESOTA is quintessential small town, the type of place where kids bike to the ballpark, propel skateboards down the middle of the street and walk the dog with friends.
Empire Wok, a Chinese restaurant is housed in one of Jordan’s many historic buildings.
It’s an historic town of aged buildings, a creekside restaurant dubbed The Feed Mill and a collection of gift, specialty and antique shops clustered within walking distance of each other.
Two guys rested on a bench Saturday afternoon in downtown Jordan.
Here curbside benches encourage sitting for a spell.
This sign drew me into a wonderful little shop.
Inside The Jordan Junker I found this creatively repurposed school desk with a U.S. map top-side. It would make for a unique end table. And, yes, the desk opens to storage inside.
Creative signage lures shoppers.
Customer favorites at Pekarna Meats, family-owned since 1893, are smoked pork sausage, ring bologna and baby back ribs.
And the meat market sees a steady stream of customers.
Numerous shops are located downtown.
Saturday afternoon my husband and I popped into this 1854 Minnesota River Valley community to poke around a few downtown shops. I appreciate the slower pace of Jordan, the Mayberry feel of this place with railroad tracks slicing through the business district. Here shopkeepers chat it up with customers in a welcoming way that is neighbor-friendly.
Two historic log cabins are situated downtown where bikers and others stopped on Saturday afternoon.
The community has a good vibe. And although our stay was brief and we didn’t see everything Jordan offers, I got a good sense of this small town. Only months earlier I visited Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store located along U.S. Highway 169 on the outskirts of Jordan. That place buzzes with busyness and the rush of traffic on the four-lane, so different from the quiet of downtown.
I delight in exploring small Minnesota towns like Jordan. This merchandise was displayed outside The Vinery Floral Home & Garden.
I’ll return to Jordan, next time better prepared with an itinerary. Seven years have passed since my last stop in the heart of the community. I won’t let that much time lapse before my next visit.
Another eye-catching sign outside a local garage.
TELL ME: Do you have a favorite small town? I’d like to hear.
FYI: Check back tomorrow for a close-up of a Jordan antique shop.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Enjoyed the article. Do you have anything on Kenyon,MN.
Yes, Janet, I have posted about Kenyon. Type “Kenyon” into my blog search engine.
I knew you would give us a glimpse of that antique shop—tomorrow will be another great post. My favorite small town right now is my very own Brevard. 🙂
I love that your favorite small town is your own community.
The antique shop I will highlight tomorrow is LB Antiques, not included in today’s images.
I live in a small town that I have fallen in love with and call home and it is nice to find that within the major metropolis I live in 🙂 Love that MN art piece – cool! Happy Day – Enjoy
I’m so glad you found your place of comfort, a new home that your cherish. And, yes, I love that Minnesota art also.
Jordan is becoming more and more of a bedroom community for the Twin Cities, still it is not a ‘burb, it could be better called a burg.
“Burg” seems a suitable term.
Sweet photos of what looks like a sweet place. Especially liked the one of the men on the bench partially hidden by the parked pickup truck. I don’t have a favorite small town but enjoy these photo essays that remind your readers to look beyond the highway exit signs!
I got one shot of the bench sitters. and I like the results, too, especially with just the boots of the one man showing.
This is one of my favorite activities–exploring small towns.
Looks like a fun place. I love the repurposed desk.
It was fun. I love that desk, too.
I have passed by Jordan enroute to the “Cities” way to many times to count but never took the time to venture off the 4 lane and explore there, shucks now I wish I had done so. You have a knack of finding the most interesting places and things to do. Since I love small rural towns I will certainly place Jordan on my list of stops next time I am in the area!!!!
Thank you, Don. I expect many motorists pass right by Jordan on their way to the Cities. I need to return to Jordan as I didn’t see everything. I’m happy to share my discoveries.
I always enjoy your small town posts. Don’t think I’ve even been to Jordan, in fact I don’t think I’ve explored this part of Minnesota. I have too many small towns that I like to mention just one, most of them around southern MN along the Iowa/MN border.
I agree that the extreme far southeastern corner of Minnesota has lots of wonderful small towns to explore. I think I’ve been to all of them.
I love the “Everyday” things.
For example, the bulldog talking a walk, the men sitting having water, a cigarette.
Such an eye, darling. xx
Thank you, dear Kim. You are such an encourager. It’s one of the traits I most love about you.
You are a great small town promoter.who appreciates the simpler things in life and the bonds that hold these communities together,
Thank you, Sue.