Chamber member M&M Bank will be presenting a check on April 18, 2023, at 2:00 pm to Popus Gourmet Popcorn at 2004 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet. The presentation will be open to the public and will be attended by several members of the local and business community.
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 is to assist the growth and development of eligible small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin, creating economic opportunity in the communities FHLBank Chicago members serve. Of hundreds of nominated businesses, only 30 awards were granted. Popus Gourmet Popcorn will be using the grant funds to purchase a new popcorn machine and ventless hood system for its Jefferson Street location.
M&M Bank partnered with the Entrepreneurial Business Center at Joliet Junior College to select the nominee business. Brian Kincaid, interim director of the center, commented that “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.”
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, MN. They have stayed true to an intimate variety of flavors, with their most popular being 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 upon request. Not only is there a retail storefront, but they also provide catering and special event products and services. During the Holidays there is a large demand for personalized corporate gifts.
Erik Schelling, Senior Vice President at M&M Bank said that “We are honored to be able to give of ourselves to this deserving business. 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 also started “Popus Popcorn Thursdays” once per month, where the bank distributes Popus’ product to all five local branches.
For more information on the event, you may contact Erik Schelling of M&M Bank at (815) 546-6274 or eschelling@m-mbank.com. Popus Gourmet Popcorn may be reached at (815) 280-5133 or via email at popuspopcorn@gmail.com. To learn more, visit www.popusgourmetpopcornil.com.
