Chicago popcorn

[Landslave]

The line down the block drew my attention.  I had to know what was so good.  It was Garrett's Popcorn company of Chicago. They were selling popcorn for RIDICULOUS prices, and I was dumbfounded.  I wanted to ask what was wrong with the bag of dry popcorn I eat from the grocery store for $3 compared to prices of up to $45 at this retail store?  I saw people walking out, carrying my monthly meal budget in popcorn in one hand, smiling.  Talk about a gold mine.  That popcorn must have had about $2 in materials.  I just snugged up my coat collar, shrugged my shoulders, shook my head, and walked on.  People just DO NOT GET IT.

[geekette]

Is it better than your $3 dry popcorn?  Yup!  Is it worth it?  Not to you!

I tried it once.  A friend brought some down from Chicago.  It was an unusual combination (to me) of cheese popcorn and caramel corn. Good stuff, as an occasional treat, and it certainly won't break the bank.  :: shrug ::

[shanghaiMMM]

Popcorn is shit at the best of times. I just don't get it. Sugary cardboard nonsense.

Paying $45 for said nonsense is definitely face punch worthy.

Queueing up to part with $45 that will only bring you closer to an artery filled grave? Double face punch.

[Frankies Girl]

Is it better than your $3 dry popcorn?  Yup!  Is it worth it?  Not to you!

I tried it once.  A friend brought some down from Chicago.  It was an unusual combination (to me) of cheese popcorn and caramel corn. Good stuff, as an occasional treat, and it certainly won't break the bank.  :: shrug ::

I bought a bag of cheese/caramel popcorn in Target for $3. It was pretty good.
I never thought to combine the two until stumbling across the Target bag. :)

But yeah, no way I'd pay more than $5 for popcorn anywhere.

[MgoSam]

I applaud them for making money. This isn't something that I would spend money on, but people on vacation sometimes love getting such a thing.

[Ceridwen]

Is it better than your $3 dry popcorn?  Yup!  Is it worth it?  Not to you!

I tried it once.  A friend brought some down from Chicago.  It was an unusual combination (to me) of cheese popcorn and caramel corn. Good stuff, as an occasional treat, and it certainly won't break the bank.  :: shrug ::

I bought a bag of cheese/caramel popcorn in Target for $3. It was pretty good.
I never thought to combine the two until stumbling across the Target bag. :)

But yeah, no way I'd pay more than $5 for popcorn anywhere.

Costco sells a "Chicago style" popcorn that is awesome.  No way I'd pay for the gourmet stuff.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

It never really occurred to me that the words "gourmet" and "popcorn" could be used together, but I used to feel that way about coffee too, and look at how trendy it's become. The same thing happened with cupcakes a few years ago, and now there are even "artisan" sandwiches (whatever the fuck that means...)

So perhaps gourmet popcorn could become an international trend too. We probably shouldn't underestimate the stupidity of the consumer.

Next up: gourmet licorice? Toothpaste perhaps?

[runningthroughFIRE]

My employer sent me a sizeable tin of popcorn from them in the mail when I accepted their job offer while I was in college.  I wouldn't buy it for myself, but it was a really tasty treat while studying for exams.

[Sibley]

Oh god, Garrets. Please shoot me. All my coworkers and most of my friends are obsessed with the place. I have spent a ridiculous amount of time sitting on their window ledge while various people are in line.

[HairyUpperLip]

Popcorn is shit at the best of times. I just don't get it. Sugary cardboard nonsense.

Paying $45 for said nonsense is definitely face punch worthy.

Queueing up to part with $45 that will only bring you closer to an artery filled grave? Double face punch.

Lol, I'm with you. I don't really like popcorn.

[midweststache]

I used to work around the corner from a Garrett's. It really is ridiculous: people lined up before they even open. A volunteer brought in some one day at the non-profit. It was fine. But at something like $12 for a tiny tin, it's not even remotely on my snack/gift/spending radar.

[hypocrispy]

I've never personally bought the stuff, but when given to me as a gift or shared I love it. Now that I've moved away from Chicago I started missing it. So I make my own.

[Megma]

I will go against the thread and say I love me some Garrett's cheese popcorn once in a while. I would not wait in line at the downtown location, it's insane. I used to go to Chicago annually for work and I would buy some Garrett's cheese popcorn at the airport location (no line) and bring it back for my bf as a Chicago visit/I had to work all weekend treat for us both.

I bought some to bring home to bf on a recent via Chicago flight connection and the medium size was $6. The medium size was already probably 1/2 gal of popcorn. How much is someone buying to spend 40+? Crazy.

[jorjor]

A colleague of mine was home in Chicago for Christmas and just gave me some Garrett's Chicago mix for helping him out with something. It's good stuff. I wouldn't wait in line or spend much money on it, but it's good stuff.

[I'm a red panda]

I'm nit a fan of Garretts. But there is a grocery store near our chicago office that does the most amazing caramel corn and I walk the mile to go get it every time I work in Chicago. But a large bag is $6. And I expense it as dinner :)

[crazy jane]

My family has been enjoying Garrett's since my father use to bring home literally a station wagon full of the Carmel Corn from his annual meeting in Chicago in the 70's. The neighbors would pay him to bring it back. Now I live in the Chicago suburbs and enjoy it whenever I get to the city. My favorite experience was the time I was next in line during the holidays and the guy at the counter over packed a bag and it split, spilling the Carmel Corn all over the counter. The guy behind me and I looked at the worker like hey, can we eat that? He nodded and the two of us pounced like wild dogs. Oh yeah and the cheese Corn is also delicious. Real cheese all over your hands. Mmmmmmm

[MgoSam]

For those of you that stay near O'hare during your trips, I am a huge fan of Tacos Locos, I find their burritos to be amazing.

For Garret's I just found this copycat recipe, don't know how accurate it is but here you go.

http://www.aspicyperspective.com/garretts-popcorn-caramel-popcorn-recipe/

[icemodeled]

I truely love popcorn! I normally get a big bag for 2.50 at our Subway here. Its movie theater style and is excellent to get when having the craving or going to watch a movie at home. Its a every so often thing. Otherwise, I do air popped at home which is cheaper and healthier (but not AS good).

I hope for $45 they give a TON of popcorn.

[bigalsmith101]

I make popcorn at home with an air popper. I melt real butter and use table salt. It's awesome. I buy it in bulk from Winco (our local discount grocer). I can't stand paying so much for popcorn, it's so cheap to make!

You want to get really creative? Next time you go the movies, get there early. Wait at the door to the theater that you'll be watching the movie and collect an empty large popcorn bucket from a movie goer who is throwing it out. At our local theater (and most), the large popcorn's offer a free refill. Take it up to the counter, wipe it clean with a napkin, and kindly ask for your refill.

[fattest_foot]

It never really occurred to me that the words "gourmet" and "popcorn" could be used together, but I used to feel that way about coffee too, and look at how trendy it's become. The same thing happened with cupcakes a few years ago, and now there are even "artisan" sandwiches (whatever the fuck that means...)

So perhaps gourmet popcorn could become an international trend too. We probably shouldn't underestimate the stupidity of the consumer.

Next up: gourmet licorice? Toothpaste perhaps?

You can also add cupcakes to the list.

It seems like this is an incredibly easy thing to make money with. Just think of something cheap to make, get a retail location in a trendy area, and "gourmet" it up. Bonus points if it's an item that no one has done it with before.

[MandalayVA]

A local farmer's market place sells "Chicago popcorn" (caramel and cheddar mix) at about three bucks for a humongous bag.  I may or may not be hoarding a bag or two for the NFL playoffs this weekend.  (whistles, looks innocent)

[I'm a red panda]

It seems like this is an incredibly easy thing to make money with. Just think of something cheap to make, get a retail location in a trendy area, and "gourmet" it up. Bonus points if it's an item that no one has done it with before.

Based on the number of gourmet popcorn, cupcake, frozen yogurt, etc shops that have gone out of business in our area, I'm not so sure. 

You need a solid business plan.

[runningthroughFIRE]

It never really occurred to me that the words "gourmet" and "popcorn" could be used together, but I used to feel that way about coffee too, and look at how trendy it's become. The same thing happened with cupcakes a few years ago, and now there are even "artisan" sandwiches (whatever the fuck that means...)

So perhaps gourmet popcorn could become an international trend too. We probably shouldn't underestimate the stupidity of the consumer.

Next up: gourmet licorice? Toothpaste perhaps?

You can also add cupcakes to the list.

It seems like this is an incredibly easy thing to make money with. Just think of something cheap to make, get a retail location in a trendy area, and "gourmet" it up. Bonus points if it's an item that no one has done it with before.

Gourmet cupcakes were/are actually a thing in a TV show called 2 Broke Girls

[I'm a red panda]

Gourmet cupcakes were/are actually a thing in a TV show called 2 Broke Girls

And all over the country.  Gourmet cupcakes are way more common than gourmet popcorn (if you don't live in Chicago)