A Trip To This Epic Iowa Popcorn Shop Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again

Who doesn’t love popcorn? Personally, it’s one of the reasons I go see movies in the theater. There’s something about that crunchy, salty, buttery combination that’s just irresistible. For popcorn lovers, Koated Kernels Jolly Time Popcorn Shoppe & Jolly Time Museum in Sioux City is like the holy grail. From the intoxicating smell of popcorn as you walk in the door, to a small room devoted to the history of Jolly Time, to the dizzying array of gourmet popcorn flavors, this popcorn shop will bring out the kid in you and make you want to visit again and again.

Facebook/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

The first thing you’ll notice as you approach the shop is the giant 23-foot sign framing the front door. The sign is a replica of the Jolly Time packaging from the 1940s.

Facebook/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

Once you get in the door, you’ll sniff the delicious popcorn aroma and look around at the amazing variety of popcorn flavors on sale in the shop.

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Yelp/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

If you can resist going to sample the popcorn right away, there’s an interesting museum inside the shop that covers 100 years of popcorn history. You’ll learn about how popcorn is different from other kinds of corn, as well as what makes it pop.

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Yelp/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

The museum includes a display of Jolly Time packaging throughout the years. There’s also a display of advertising that includes endorsements by famous celebrities like Bob Hope, Ozzie and Harriet and Paul Harvey.

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Jolly Time was founded in 1914 by Cloid H. Smith, and the company is still owned and operated by family members today. In 2011, Jolly Time Koated Kernels was founded. The store’s impressive lineup of 20 different popcorn flavors was first developed in their homes, and then the Koated Kernels store was born.

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Facebook/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

The store is happy to let you sample any of the 20 flavors on display before deciding on an order. What makes Jolly Time Koated Kernels so special is that the popcorn coatings are all homemade in small batches. Many of their flavors are also baked, a process that is time-consuming but creates a truly special, flavorful and crispy popcorn.

Facebook/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

Facebook/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

Among the 20 flavors on offer are classics, like caramel and Sioux City, a mix of sweet and salty with caramel and white cheddar flavors. There are also plenty of cheese flavors, like cheddar and cheddar jalapeno, and specialty flavors, like chocolate drizzled caramel, birthday cake and cinnamon roll.

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Facebook/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

Their popcorn comes in many different sizes, from a small personal size to bulk popcorn for parties. They even have a popcorn of the month club!

Facebook/Jolly Time Koated Kernels

Whether you're young or old, when you pay a visit to this fun and tasty Sioux City popcorn shop, you're sure to leave feeling happy.

The shop is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 5:30pm, and Saturday, 10am to 3pm. Location: 1717 Terminal Drive, Sioux City, IA.

Have you been to this popcorn shop? What did you think? For those candy lovers out there, This Massive Candy Store In Iowa Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again.