courtesy of Anna Carr
Anna Carr's small business, Kirkwood Pop Co., is becoming known for its unusual popcorn flavors.
In November of 2018, the 24-year-old Mizzou grad and friend Richard Daniels opened a popcorn shop in Kirkwood (108 N. Kirkwood). Carr says she chose popcorn for her small business because it is so "customizable. We wanted the store to be something that we could always have changing and be able to have people give their input on what they wanted to see,” Carr says.
The company sells popcorn in 12 flavors, the regular flavors like caramel and cheddar, but also less-than-typical ones like Pink Vanilla, White Cheddar Jalapeño, Bomb Pop, Cookies & Cream, and seasonal quirky ones, such as Birthday Cake and Sour Cream and Chive. The always-available Pink Vanilla is the store's bestseller, perhaps because "it tastes like Lucky Charms marshmallows,” Carr says.
However, Carr can’t take all the credit for the wacky flavors—the shop has a suggestion box, available for customers to weigh in. “I write down every single flavor people suggest," Carr says. "When a kid wants a flavor and comes back in and sees that we have it, it’s just so awesome."
Carr's personal favorite flavors are categorized: sweet and savory. Her favorite savory flavor is their White Cheddar Jalapeño, which Carr says really isn't as spicy as it sounds. And her favorite sweet popcorn? “I love our Chocolate Covered Chocolate. It tastes like Cocoa Puffs. It is so good,” Carr says with a laugh.
The shop is closed every Monday to make the popcorn in-house, although popcorn is continuously made throughout the week, popped in silver pots until they overflow and then mixed with flavoring in large silver tumblers. "We try to stick to Mondays because the tumblers are really loud," Carr said.
Inside, long built-in shelves line the walls, filled with customizable tins and bags of every kind of popcorn imaginable. The red brick store greets visitors with giant silvers letters upon first entering, "What's Poppin," just above a few high-top tables with games and kid's toys. “A lot of times families will come in while they’re out for a walk and they’ll be picking out their popcorn and their kids will play a game at one of our tables,” Carr said.
Extending her business into the community is important to both Daniels and Carr. Of the business's Kirkwood location, she says, “We wanted to open something that could be community-oriented and help the neighborhood. ” They even host events like movie nights and fundraising days and received help from students in two Advanced Marketing classes at Kirkwood High School.
Carr, younger than most business owners, understands the importance of getting a shop’s name out there. Carr thinks that her young age has led her to be more active on social media and have a knack for marketing. “I think it’s definitely helping me—being so young,” she says.
Carr advises other business owners to never let an opportunity pass you by and to always accept help from your community. “I’ve definitely learned a lot about getting help from others," she says. "You can never have too many hands on deck."
You can purchase Kirkwood's Popcorn Co's popcorn, seasoning, and kernels in-store or online. But the brand might pop up in other retail spaces in the future, as Carr is currently working on partnering with a few other local businesses.
