Steve Beale used to collect California Raisins. Remember those dancing claymation raisins from the commercials in the 1980s? Then he could not find them anymore, so he switched to M&Ms. Today he and his wife Patricia own more than 5,000 pieces of M&M memorabilia.

It started with one bedroom. It ended with a building, a Route 66 reputation and a free bag of candy for every visitor.

The couple’s roadside attraction in Waggoner, Illinois, was the subject of a report on the M&M museum from InvestigateTV this week.

He Filled A Bedroom Until The Door Would Not Open

At first the collection lived in a spare bedroom of the Beales’ home. Shelves filled up. Boxes stacked up. Eventually there was so much that nobody could open the bedroom door.

That was the sign it was time to move the collection out. The couple built a shed that measures 20 by 30 feet and began arranging everything on display.

They did not stop there. Steve keeps adding to the museum, and the walls are now covered from the floor to the ceiling.

Nothing In The Museum Is For Sale, And Steve Has A Reason

Here is where the story gets interesting. Visitors often ask whether a particular item can be purchased, and the answer is always no.

Steve says that once you begin selling things, you are no longer a collector, you are in it for the money. Collecting for love, he explains, is a different thing altogether.

Admission is free. Guests come from all over the world, and each one gets a fun size bag of M&Ms on the way in.

A Free Candy Stop On The Mother Road

The museum has become a favorite pit stop for people driving historic Route 66. For travelers who love quirky roadside Americana, a bag of candy and a wall of colorful memorabilia is a perfect break from the highway.

The Beales each have their favorite flavor. Steve prefers peanut M&Ms, while Patricia is a peanut butter fan.

It is a very small detail, but it says a lot. This is a husband and wife hobby, not a business plan.

The Little Candy With A Long History

M&M’s have been around since 1941, which means your parents or grandparents may have carried them through some very different times. Over the decades the candy has appeared in tins, dispensers, toys, banks, clocks, lunch boxes and advertising signs, so a collector has plenty to chase.

That variety is part of why a single brand can fill a whole building. Once you start looking for old packaging, store displays and promotional gadgets, the hunt never really ends.

The same thing happens with Coca-Cola, Pez, Campbell’s Soup, Hot Wheels and dozens of other American brands. A person falls for one item, then the whole world of that item opens up.

Why People Fall For Brand Collections

A candy wrapper might not look like a treasure, but it holds a time capsule. Colors, logos, slogans and even the font on a package tell you what year it was and what people were feeling.

That is why advertising collectibles have such loyal followers. They are small, colorful and tied to memories, from the cartoon characters on cereal boxes to the tin signs hanging outside a country store.

There is also the joy of the hunt. Each time Steve finds a new M&M item at a flea market or antique shop, it has a little story attached, and he adds it to the wall.

Planning A Visit To A Roadside Museum

Route 66 once stretched from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, and many of the little attractions along the old road are run by families who simply love what they do.

If you plan a trip, call ahead or check a local listing for hours, since small museums often keep flexible schedules. Bring a camera, but be polite with the staff and ask before you photograph personal spaces.

Most owners enjoy talking about their collections, so leave yourself time to chat. The best part of a place like Beale’s is often the stories that do not appear on any sign.

How To Start A Collection That Does Not Take Over The House

You do not need 5,000 items to enjoy a hobby like this. Plenty of people pick a theme and enjoy the hunt at flea markets, garage sales and antique malls.

• Choose a theme with a clear edge. One brand, one decade or one type of object keeps the search fun and focused.
• Write things down. A simple notebook or spreadsheet with a description, the price you paid and where you found it helps you remember what you own.
• Protect your finds from sunlight, damp and heat. Fading and mildew are the biggest enemies of old packaging and paper.
• Pick a display plan early. A few shelves or a glass cabinet look better than boxes in the closet and keep dust off.
• Think about where it all goes someday. Tell your family what you value most, and consider a letter or list with your wishes.

It also helps to set a budget. The Beales built their collection over a long time, one piece at a time, and that patient pace is a big part of its charm.

If you are ever near Waggoner, a stop at Beale’s M&M Museum could be a fun detour. And if you are still looking for your own hobby, take the hint from a man who lost his raisins and found a candy empire.

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