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/ Business of the Month / Minocqua Popcorn & Puffs
Business of the Month:
Eagle River
102 Wall Street
Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521
(715) 614-3132
Website: https://www.minocquapoppuff.com/
Owner: Jim Gleich
[email protected]
Entrepreneurs Jim and Pam Gleich, owners of Minocqua Popcorn & Puffs, have a thriving business, simply making people happy in the Northwoods – with popcorn. “It just makes people happy,” said Jim.
In 2019, the prior owners of Popcorn & Puffs opened their second location in Eagle River and hired Pam to manage the store. In 2021, Jim and Pam purchased the business and continue to operate both stores year-round. Jim recalls, “Pam and I both had retail and customer service backgrounds, so it was just a matter of learning about popcorn.” He added, the Eagle River location was opened to enable people from Eagle River to the UP a place to get their favorite popcorn and puffs without having to drive to Minocqua.
With the increase in summer tourism, like most businesses they add part-time help in summer.
Eric Schirmer “AKA Captain Carmel” operates the off-site popping factory directly behind the Minocqua store. Specialized products clean all popping equipment regularly. Ingredients are sourced from over 20 US vendors and Spain. Their wholesale business provides products locally to more than 20 grocery stores, gas stations and bars in Oneida and Vilas Counties.
Customers are always invited to taste test new flavors. So far, 32 flavors have passed the test. Jim smiles, “We love giving our guests free samples in the stores. The most sampled are the Lemon Bar Puffs and the White Chocolate Pretzel popcorn. Most people who sample these flavors end up purchasing some on the spot.”
Business has been growing exponentially via fabulous products, high-quality customer service, and through word of mouth. Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK), receives a 50-cent donation for every grab bag or small fun flavors sold.
Visit the website for on-line shopping for popcorn in bags, tins, pillowcase packages of popcorn (that’s seven gallons of popped popcorn!) for gift giving, celebrations and family/friend gatherings. Additional products include jerky, kernel popcorn, coconut oil and flavored salts.
White popcorn is popped fresh daily in the stores where you’ll hear, “It smells so good in here!” Check the website for the monthly Featured Flavor.
Popcorn is always welcome for celebrations, corporate gifts and special events. Their products are shipped to more than 100 weddings each year in the US. Popcorn & Puff’s e-commerce business performs extremely well, especially around the holidays when online sales comprise 25-30 percent of the business revenue.
Jim is always amazed and states, “Often we get calls about an upcoming wedding from people who tell us they had our popcorn at a friend’s wedding and after tasting it, decided they had to have it for their wedding as well.”
With the upcoming holidays, Jim encourages customers to visit their online store for gift ideas the whole family will enjoy.
Congratulations Jim & Pam!!
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Private Chef Luke Selected as the VCEDC Business of the Year
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Eagle River Roasters named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
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Conover Gardens named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
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The Hiker Box named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
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Lac du Flambeau Workforce Training & Business Development Center Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
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LakeTime Management Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
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Iconik Etchings and Innovations Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
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Trout Lake Station named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation.
July 2022
Pitlik & Wick, Inc. named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
June 2022
Eagle River Historical Society named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
May 2022
Jensen-Akins Appliances/Hardware/Docks named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation.
April 2022
Boulder Junction Coffee Company named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
March 2022
Schindelholz Dental named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
February 2022
Arrow Gift Shop named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
January 2022
Ahlborn Equipment named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
December 2021
Hillbilly Hollow named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
November 2021
Trees for Tomorrow named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
October 2021
Simpson Electric Company named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
September 2021
Bartling’s Manitowish Cranberry Company named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
July 2021
Camp Manito-wish YMCA Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
June 2021
Eagle River Light & Water Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
May 2021
Great Headwaters Trails Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
April 2021
March 2021
Charlie's Market Named Business of the Month by Vilas Economic Development Corporation
February 2021
January 2021
2020 Business of the Year
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
Located in Eagle River, the Northwoods Children's Museum has thought outside the box continuing its programming and mission to give back to the community even during Covid-19.
August 2020
July 2020
Congratulations to the new $3.3 million Country Market in Lac du Flambeau (LdF) for being selected as the VCEDC July Business of the Month. According to Melissa Doud, LDF Business Development Corp. Interim COO, the Country Market which opened in June, has enhanced the entire shopping experience.
June 2020
Congratulations to Land O' Lakes Arts, a cultural establishment that offers people of all ages that sense of wonder and purpose.
May 2020
Steve and Lisa Coon have turned their passion for the outdoors into a successful business and yet, feel their true success comes from being integrated into the community, a community they feel is like family.
April 2020
Among being a stellar lodge, restaurant, and destination of choice for tourists and area residents, we congratulate Debby and Dan Johns and all of their staff for their generosity and commitment to Vilas County to ensure our history and culture live on for future generations.
March 2020
Congratulations to Eagle River's Last Resort for 38 years in business providing great customer service and experiences to Eagle River visitors, and providing a positive influence on the Eagle River community.
February 2020
In 2016, April graduated from a business startup course, now called Nicolet Entrepreneur Training (NET) program, offered through a partnership with the VCEDC and Nicolet College. "With ongoing support from the VCEDC, including rental space within the Eagle River Business Incubator, I was able to develop and implement my business plan, founding Starlight in 2016," said April.
Reach out to the folks at the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation today!
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