Popcorn Works in Peoria Heights to have grand opening, ribbon cutting this week
Popcorn Works and Sweet Shop is inviting one and all to its grand opening, open house and ribbon cutting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24.
The confectionary is located at 1203 E. Kingman Ave., just north of the Village’s Tower Park. Everything in the shop will be 25 percent
off during that time.
The business, owned and operated by the Clarno family, held a soft opening last November in time for the Christmas holidays, and has enjoyed a steady stream of customers since, especially around Valentine’s Day. Traffic has picked up as the weather warms.
“So far, so good,” Pete Clarno said of his latest business venture. “We’ve got our soda fountain all fired up, and we’ll be introducing our shaved ice.”
Meanwhile, the outdoor patio is ready for visitors, along with a convenient walk- up window for those who wish to stroll or bike in, grab their order of a delicious hot dog – or two – and go on their way. The lower-level party room is prepared to become mighty noisy with birthday parties.
Among the main draws, of course, is the popcorn, 33 flavors on the board at any given time – “Baskin Robbins has nothing on us,” jokes Pete – who is nothing if not a risk-taker on that front. Indeed, among the flavors is “Spaghetti and Garlic Bread” and “Biscuits and Gravy,” along with holiday-themed varieties such as “Apple Shamrock” and “Lucky Leprechaun,” for St. Patrick’s Day, of course. Some “Go ILL” popcorn for the Fighting Illini’s recent basketball success is still available. Not to be left out, the Easter season will soon brag “Bunny Hop Pop” and “Bunny Bait.” From sweet to salty, The Works has it all.
In addition, there is a virtual smorgasbord of gourmet candies, gummies, taffy, fudge, boba beads, Pixy Stix, etc. Frozen treats from popsicles to ice cream sandwiches also will be available. Local dentists should be buying stock in the place.
Curiosity-seekers from all over the Midwest also have been making their way in. The building itself is worth a look, as it dates back to the Great Depression – 1934, to be exact – when it was constructed by President Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) as the Peoria Heights Pump House, providing the Village’s water.
For Clarno, it truly is a family affair as he works alongside his wife and daughters, and they’d like to share the place with some company. Come on out and have a look.
Popcorn Works and Sweet Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, though it will be expanding its hours soon to 7 or 8 p.m. and to Sundays. If there’s an event at Tower Park across the street, expect to see the lights on even later.