Who knew popcorn could be so fun? Gone are the days when only 3 flavors ruled, them being butter, cheese, and caramel. This is PopStyle Popcorn in downtown South Bend; located across from the State Theater. If popcorn's your passion, welcome to Michiana's kingdom of kernels.

Rhonda Forrest is the owner and says her place boasts more than 60 types of popcorn. Yes, 60.

Some of those flavors are blue raspberry, pina colada, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate lover's paradise, chocolate covered cherry, and banana split...and about 55 others including sugar free flavors like root beer, caramel, and amaretto.

“I'm like a big kid, I love to cook and I love all the different flavors. I love to come up with ideas and new taste sensations,” she says with a big smile.

All the popcorn and flavors are made in the store's kitchen. Two types of popcorn are used; mushroom and gourmet style. The latter is used the most because it's the prettiest and the flavors stick to the kernels better.

At one point, Rhonda brought me into the kitchen (can’t ever complain about that) and showed me the flavors of the day: Toffee bar Delight and Crème de Menthe. While Chicago Style and Cheesy Caramel are very popular, one type is king in the eyes of customers and kids.

“Mom's Apple pie ala mode is #1. We can't really keep that one in, as soon as I put it out it sells!”

Rhonda says she gets flavor ideas from her two kids and their friends as well as customers. Before going commercial, she began making popcorn for her co-workers and the feedback was amazing.

“I love to see people smile and I love for people to come in especially new people because I love to just run them around the store and just let them try everything. I want them to say they felt at home when they came in and that they'll come back.”

I basically stuffed my face the entire time of the shoot. Do I feel guilty? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Absolutely.

JS
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PopStyle Gourmet Popcorn Shoppe
225 S. Michigan St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-232-7895

HOURS
Mon-Thu & Sat 11am – 6pm
Friday 11am – 8 pm