Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn, a staple on Main Street in Greenville, SC for more than a decade, is under new ownership and we’ve got the story on this Willy Wonka-ish amazing small business.
If you’ve walked on Main Street in downtown Greenville, you’ve probably stopped into Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn, even if just to window shop. It’s been there since 2012 and only recently came under new ownership. Boy did they hit the ground running.
We stopped by to get the story and try the popcorn and really, didn’t want to leave. It was that good. And read to the bottom for a little gift for Kidding Around readers!
How One Acquires a Popcorn Shop
Skyler Burkett and his wife, Brittanie, were visiting Greenville with some friends a few years ago. They were looking to move from a tiny town in Illinois and stopped into Poppington’s on Main Street. They asked the owners if they were looking to sell at all. Turns out, the owners were open to it.
It took a couple of years to actually make the move to buy Poppington’s and get to Greenville but it all fell into place in April 2023 and Skyler was now a modern-day Willy Wonka, creating all kinds of wonderful and creative flavors that make you second guess exactly what you’re eating.
Fun fact: Skyler grew up on a farm in Illinois that was basically all corn fields. And now he’s a popcorn shop owner. Full circle!
The Flavors Are Incredible
Sweet or savory, you name it, they have it. And it’s going to be good.
I personally love pickles so I jumped at the chance to try the Dill Pickle flavor of popcorn at Poppington’s (don’t judge). I was 99% sure I was eating an actual pickle and not popcorn, that’s how close the flavor was. Literally the only thing different was the texture. The Bacon Cheddar popcorn was also a favorite. It tastes like you are eating a piece of bacon along with the best piece of cheddar cheese you’ve ever had in your life. I just kept wondering how in the world they pack that much flavor into a kernel of popped corn.
Oh, and the Havarti Dill flavor was amazing with lots of bold cheese and dill pickle flavors.
Don’t worry, if pickles aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other flavors I promise you’ll love like Cotton Candy, Birthday Cake, Salted Caramel, and Toffee. Every single flavor we tried was just so good.
Popcorn at Poppington’s is the Real Deal
All the flavor combinations and ingredients at Poppington’s are real foods. No powders or fake foods. And they even have a chef who comes up with ideas and makes them happen. He is one of the business partners and went to culinary school. He hadn’t really found his spot in the culinary community until he became a Popcorn Chef. It’s a thing and now you have new goals in life if you love popcorn and cooking.
So the Popcorn Chef uses all real food to make the 50 flavors available at Poppington’s and this is why they taste so good. This is why the cotton candy flavor tastes like cotton candy – because it is cotton candy – and why the dill pickle flavor tastes like dill pickles, because they are.
Looking Ahead for More Poppington’s Goodness
What’s the future look like for Poppington’s? Skyler tells me they are expanding fast and are always trying new flavors and taking the suggestions of their customers. I gave him a few ideas but am keeping them secret so you’ll have to just wait.
If you love Poppington’s so much and want to send all the popcorn goodness to your friends around the country, Poppington’s ships their popcorn. Also, you can order little bags of popcorn for corporate events, weddings, parties, Christmas gifts, literally anything.
Special Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn Gift for Kidding Around Readers
Skyler is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet. If you go to the shop, be sure to ask for him and he’ll be excited to talk to you and see you. He’s one of the most peoplest people persons I’ve ever met.
And because he’s so nice, he has given our Kidding Around readers a special code to use for 15% off their orders at Poppington. Use the code KAG15 for orders online.
Hours of Operation
Poppington’s is open during these hours but call ahead during snow or big storms to double-check before heading out:
Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 7 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn
30 S Main Street, Greenville
Poppington’s Website | Poppington’s Facebook
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