116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
My Biz: Marion shop popping with flavor
MARION - The smell hits you as soon as you open the door - the smell of freshly popped popcorn.
Iowa Popcorn Company has been popping its gourmet popcorn in the historic downtown district of Marion since the 1990s. The store's third set of owners, Maureen and Nevin Meredith, have been running the mom and pop shop since 2002.
'After we purchased it, we decided the stuff was so good we couldn't just keep it in Marion,” said Maureen Meredith.
Though they sell much of their popcorn out of their retail storefront at 714 10th St. in Marion, the pair sells the vast majority through grocery and convenience stores across Eastern Iowa and the country.
But the items sold wholesale are just a fraction of what is offered in the retail store.
Lining the walls of the shop from floor to ceiling are hundreds of bags, with flavors ranging from the traditional lightly salted and butter to the not-so-traditional blue raspberry and green apple.
The store's best seller? Three-way combo. It's a blend of cheese, caramel and butter.
'We don't make popcorn the way other people make popcorn,” said Nevin Meredith, explaining that they pride themselves on freshness.
But freshness requires frequent popping, which explains the store hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With only seven full-time employees and one small building to cook, coat, sift and pack tons of popcorn by hand every week, the operation needs Mondays and Thursdays to bring its customers the fresh popcorn they're promised.
'Our customers never want their receipt,” said Maureen Meredith. 'They say no because of course they're not bringing it back - it's music to my ears.”
Though the Merediths have tried retirement three times, they've decided it's not for them.
'The business is growing and it's fun, so why quit?” said Nevin Meredith.
' Know a manager or company in business for more than a year that would be ideal for 'My Biz”? Contact Chelsea Keenan at chelsea.keenan@thegazette.com
At a glance
'Company
: Iowa Popcorn Company
'Names
: Maureen and Nevin Meredith
'Address
: 714 10th St., Marion
'Phone
: (319) 377-7551
Maureen Meredith recommends a pint-size bag of Iowa Popcorn Company's caramel corn to Ernie Buresh, of Cedar Rapids, at the store in downtown Marion. Caramel corn is one of the many flavors at the shop, which include sweet and savory options. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
Nevin Meredith, owner of Iowa Popcorn Company, takes bags of popcorn out to his car for delivery to grocery and convenience stores in the Independence area. Delivery routes stretch across the eastern third of the state, resulting in at least 600-700 miles added onto his car each week. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
Nevin Meredith, owner of Iowa Popcorn Company, carries bags of popcorn out to his car for delivery to grocery and convenience stores in the Independence area. He and another employee are responsible for deliveries, which stretch across the eastern third of the state, resulting in at least 600-700 miles added onto his car each week. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
Pat Chamberlain, an employee of Iowa Popcorn Company, reaches for a bag of three-way combo to fill an order. She's working in the back of the shop with several other employees who cook, finish, pack and fill orders. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
Barb Tschantz, of Marion, fills bags with popcorn in the packing area at Iowa Popcorn Company. Behind her, Patsi Gann, also of Marion, and Pat Chamberlain, of Anamosa, work on filling orders. (Liz Zabel/The Gazette)
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