Tosa Popcorn Entrepreneur Closes His Doors

Saying hello, Paul Cannariato greets his customers as usual. But they’ve come to say goodbye.

After six years of owning and operating Col. Pops, a specialty popcorn shop on the corner of 72nd and North Ave., Cannariato closed his doors Friday.

Life is about choices. Cannariato, who grew up in Wauwatosa, was working 50 to 60 hours a week – 90 hours a week during the holidays.

“I work six days a week about five to six months out of the year,” he said. “The rest of the year I’m here seven days a week.”

He’s not complaining about the hard work. But it takes too much time away from his daughters, 5-year-old Micah and 2 1/2-year-old Gianna.

“The economy has affected the business, too. When things get tight, people cut out spending money on stuff like this,” he said of his specialty popcorns made fresh in the back kitchen. 

The irony is that Cannariato opened Col. Pops as a way of filling an unfillable void in his life after he and his wife loss their first child, Vincent, at 10 1/2 weeks old to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

“This has been a good experience. I’ve met some amazing people here,” he said. “Saying good bye has been emotional.”

About six months ago, Cannariato took a rare Saturday off. His daughter Micah asked, “Daddy, why aren’t you at work?”

“I had to ask myself, did the necessity of being with my family outweigh the business,” he said. The answer was simple.

Cannariato’s lease was up, so it seemed like the perfect time for the transition.

“I’m hoping to be at home much more. This is my choice,” he said. “My family is worth closing this chapter in my life. I walk out with my head held high and proud of what I’ve done here.”

On the last day, customers came in to make one last selection from the ever-emptying shelves and to tell Cannariato how much they love his popcorn. He offered them a free bag of freshly popped corn warm from the popcorn wagon in the back.

“I’ve sold the slushy machine and most of the equipment,” he said. “I haven’t sold the popcorn wagon yet – won’t need it at the new place.”

Cannariato will continue to make his popcorn from a manufacturing site in Milwaukee for fundraising ventures. He started making his popcorn available for fundraising activities for schools and various organizations when he first opened his shop.

“I do about 30,000 bags a year for fundraisers,” he said.