Popus Gourmet Popcorn Wins Coveted Grant Award: Joliet Chamber

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Chamber of Commerce officials announced this week that M&M Bank will be presenting a check to Popus Gourmet Popcorn, at 2004 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet. The 2 p.m. April 18 presentation will be open to everyone and will be attended by several people from the local business community.

Chamber officials said that the contribution is being made in conjunction with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s Community First Accelerate Grants for Small Business.

The program assists the growth and development of small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Of hundreds of nominated businesses, only 30 awards were granted this year. Popus Gourmet Popcorn will be using the grant funds to purchase a new popcorn machine and ventless hood system for its Jefferson Street location on Joliet's west side.

M&M Bank said it partnered with the Entrepreneurial Business Center at Joliet Junior College to select the nominee business.

The EBC has been working with Popus Gourmet Popcorn for over a year, and we strongly believe that they would be a perfect candidate for this award," announced Brian Kincaid, interim director of the center.

Popus Gourmet Popcorn is owned by Walter and Leanne Dean and was opened in Joliet in October of 2017. The business motto for Popus is “You Deserve the Best.”

The company was started out of a love for popcorn that the Deans would make for family and friends. In time, that passion became their business.

To date they have three locations: Joliet, Tinley Park, and Rochester, Minnesota. Their most popular popcorn flavor has been Chicago Mix, a blend of cheese and caramel corn.

Other varieties include jalapeno, sour cream and onion, white chocolate drizzle, amongst others. They also offer homemade candy, root beer, soda, and taffy.

Not only is there a retail storefront, but they also provide catering and special event products and services.

“We are honored to be able to give of ourselves to this deserving business," announced Erik Schelling, senior vice president at M&M Bank. "I have been able to watch their growth from afar, and now that I have been privy to their passion and business plan, we are even more excited to support their growth.

M&M Bank said it also started “Popus Popcorn Thursdays” once per month, where the bank distributes Popus’ product to all five local branches.

Related Joliet Patch story:

New Popcorn Store 'Has Many Delicious Flavors'