January 19 is National Popcorn Day, and there’s no better place to find a huge variety of crunchy, addictive snack than The Popcorn Station. Since 1998, the retail and wholesale business has been producing small batches of perfectly popped popcorn in flavors that add to the fun of family movie night, and elevate corporate gift giving. Be prepared to be amazed when walking into the shop; the choices go beyond traditional butter, kettle or caramel.
“First-timers are shocked when they walk into the store,” says Owner Dana Owen. “On any given day we offer 35 to 40 flavors, and it’s hard to pick just one. We have tables and chairs so people can sit down and taste test. The options run seasoned to sweet. We are the home of chocolate gourmet popcorn, but my favorite is dill pickle. We rotate the flavors seasonally. In the fall and winter, Apple Pie, Pumpkin, S’mores and Reindeer Food are featured. During the warmer months we offer Dreamsicle and Banana Pudding. A favorite is Peanut Butter Lovers which is covered with both white and dark chocolate, peanut butter and Reese’s Pieces.”
Owen shares that her favorite snack as a kid was popcorn, and even today, not a day goes by when she doesn’t eat it. She states that her kids were raised in popcorn and remain involved in The Popcorn Station. Its slogan, “Bringing the whole family together, one kernel at a time,” rings true for Owen; her roots in the business go back even before the prior owner, Mike Knoop, and his wife, Beverly, founded the store.
“We had come back to Louisville after living in Corbin and I got into a conversation with a lady who told me about an auction at a storage building,” says Knoop. “You could walk by an open door and look, but you couldn’t go in. I saw a stainless-steel table that I thought we could use in our church, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of what else was in there.”
“When the auction started, no one bid,” he continues. “The auctioneer wanted to move on, so I said, ‘I’ll give you $5.’ I ended up getting the entire contents of that unit, when all I really wanted was the table. It turned out that there was $35,000 worth of popcorn-making equipment that had been put into storage by a man who had closed a franchise shop of the Corn Popper chain.”
Known for his boundless energy and never being able to resist a project, Knoop decided to put the equipment to use. Without any prior knowledge, he and his wife dove right in. Luckily they had the support of friends and family, including Owen’s aunt, Janet Ciresi, who had worked at the Corn Popper before it closed.
“It was a blessing that just fell in our lap,” says Knoop. “Both Bev and I come from big families, and it brought us all together. We had so many people helping us that if I named them all, I’m afraid I would leave someone out. I sold it in 2005 and it changed hands a couple times before Dana bought it. She’s done miracles with it.”
Although it might taste decadent, popcorn is a healthy snack option. The freshest kernels possible are sourced from nearby farms in Kentucky and Indiana. The corn is popped in coconut oil, which is a natural preservative. All the flavors are gluten free except Cookies & Cream. There are even plenty of vegan options.
Many people may have sampled The Popcorn Station’s offerings and not been aware of it. It is the popcorn served at Churchill Downs, and it is shipped all over the country in customized tins as corporate gifts. Of course, it can be purchased in bags ranging from a 10-cup size to 208-cup extra-large size, but families love buying it by the tins, which come in a variety of sizes and with designs for every holiday and occasion imaginable.
“The tin program is a great gift because it is not one and done; it can be used over and over because the refills are half price for life,” says Owen. “Some families get a birthday tin and pass it around, rotating it through the family on the next person’s birthday.”
The tins range in sizes from one gallon that holds one flavor, to a 6.5-gallon can that holds three. Prices depend on the popcorn flavor. A one-gallon tin of traditional butter popcorn is $25, while the largest three-flavor tin starts at $45. The decor choices on the outside include classic movies, sport teams, milestone celebrations and many more.
All flavors and packaging options including tin designs can be viewed on The Popcorn Station website. After customers choose a container and select flavors, their purchases can be shipped anywhere. The site is secure and major credit and debit cards are accepted.
The crew at The Popcorn Station includes adults and teens, including those with special needs. They love to help design favors for weddings, gender reveals and showers. The Popcorn Station is a great place for birthday parties; kids learn about where popcorn comes from as well as the popping process. They participate in activities such as making popcorn balls, learning how to make gourmet chocolate popcorn and seasoning their own popcorn. The two-hour parties cost $18 a person. Party supplies are included.
Owen also donates gift baskets to area fundraisers. The Popcorn Station fire truck can be seen out in the community at philanthropic events such as FEAT of Louisville’s annual run-walk for autism, serving popcorn to those participating.
“When we found the fire truck, I thought it was the perfect platform to go out and spread the love of popcorn,” says Owen. “We take it out in the community and go to inner-city churches. My parents were in the ministry and they hoped I would continue in it. When my mom worked with me, she said, ‘This is a wonderful ministry; you can reach more people doing this.’”
“It warms my heart when people who are visiting make a point to stop by and see us before they leave town,” Owen says. “Thinking of my aunt using this same equipment when she worked at the Corn Popper brings a smile to my face. She owned The Popcorn Station with me until she retired, and I became the sole owner. My daughter works with me now and my son works here when he has time off. I feel things have come around full circle. All you need is love and popcorn!”
