By Chris Bavender
Business has been popping at Inga’s Popcorn since the doors opened a week ago. While the storefront shop may be new, Zionsville residents have enjoyed the tasty treats since 2011.
“I started at the farmers market here in Zionsville,” owner Inga Smith said. “Ken Julian, the previous owner of Eagle Creek Coffee Co., would let me come in and use his kitchen to make it there and only charged me a trade out.”
Smith has sold her popcorn in Bloomington for more than a year – with such clients as Oliver Winery, West Baden and Indiana University. But, with an 11-year-old daughter, she wanted to shorten her commute.
The new shop is located at 140 S. Main St. in “the cutest little brick building owned by Brian Wright, the best landlord ever,” Smith said. “He has made my move to Zionsville a dream come true.”
The idea for whipping up popcorn confections as a living came to Smith after a trip to Chicago where she saw a line around the corner at a very popular popcorn shop.
“Being single, I wanted to find something to make money that would also allow me to be with my daughter while she was young,” Smith said.
Inga’s Popcorn offers six classic flavors year round, including classic caramel, caramel with pecans, cheddar cheese, white cheddar cheese, and Chicago popcorn – a delectable mix of classic carmel and cheddar cheese. While she talked about her new shop, Smith offered customers samples of Snicker doodle popcorn – a cinnamon caramel flavor.
Smith said she works really hard before she debuts a new flavor, having teachers at Eagle Creek Elementary school sample the product.
“They are very honest and tell you what they like or don’t like,” she said with a laugh. “They have really helped me come up with a lot of my flavors.”
Inga’s Popcorn is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednedsay and noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday.