Making your gift basket POP is important when you are in the gourmet food business, but when you’re in the popcorn business it’s essential! Linda Chipman, Owner & POPerator of Chippy’s Popcorn Creations says, “Our guests love the Intricut Boxes from Nashville Wraps! The designs are whimsical and unique, something customers are not going to get at the local big box store. And for us, the bling is in the box, so a simple basket bag and a bow or ribbon makes a fabulous impression for the receiver.”
Located in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Chippy’s also uses our gift basket boxes and market trays. “We love using the basket boxes,” explains Linda. “With a couple of quick folds, we have a high-quality container for our gift selections. The basket benches are great for lifting product, and we find that we can mix and match depending on what is going in the box. For example, sometimes we might use a small bench in a large box since we need a smaller rise in the box. I love the variety of solid colors and designs offered by Nashville Wraps. It actually becomes hard to choose and not over-order because there are so many nice designs, particularly at Christmas!”
The Bling is in the Box!
See how to fold our fun Intricut Basket Boxes here:
Just yesterday, Linda and her husband Scott were working on an order for 3,000 bags all done in-house with no automation. But business wasn’t always this busy. Back in 2000, Linda’s sister introduced them to friends who had a kettle corn stand in Kentucky. At the time, they were living in North Carolina and didn’t really think it was a big deal–sugar on popcorn. “They gave us a huge bag of the kettle corn, and we devoured the entire thing on our 6 hour drive back home,” says Linda. At the time, Scott was executive chef at a country club and she was a training store restaurant manager for a franchise system.
A Career Crossroads
In 2002, they both found themselves at a crossroads in their careers and started toying with the idea of starting a kettle corn stand. With a small business loan from Linda’s father, they started Chippy’s Kettle Corn. They booked spring and fall shows in North Carolina and summer ones in Wisconsin where both their families lived. But life on the road was tough.
Their first event at Wisconsin Dells – “The Waterpark Capitol of the World” – turned a decent profit, but Linda thought, “We should have made a million dollars!” But when they went back south they were losing money or just barely breaking even. So, they put their house on the market and moved back to the Midwest.
Their persistence paid off. Since that time they’ve grown to three mobile units and opened their retail storefront Chippy’s Popcorn Creations. “We’ve had so many people who profess to be ‘kettle corn connoisseurs’ consistently tell us that ours is the best they’ve had and they ‘try it all over the country’,” states Linda.
“Chippy’s is a Popcorn Lover’s Paradise” – Yelp
Her secret recipe, Mrs. Chippy’s Caramel Corn, rivals or beats even the most famous of popcorn shops. Other favorites include the Beaver Dam Blend (a mix of Mrs. Chippy’s Caramel Corn, Chicago Style Cheddar and Wisconsin White Cheddar), the delicious Oreo Crush (Mrs. Chippy’s Caramel Corn with Double Stuff Oreos drenched in creamy white chocolate), Pretzel Chip Kat Crunch (lightly carameled popcorn with pretzels, sea salt potato chips, and Kit Kat pieces drizzled in milk chocolate), and POP-a-razzi (a pink and white champagne popcorn “blinged” out with edible glitter). There are some many unique flavors and other yummy treats, you’ll have to check them out for yourself.
We caught up with Linda this summer in Chicago at the Sweets & Snacks Expo (pictured here with our Specialty Sales Coordinator Charles Corn). Chippy’s also has a large Facebook following, and sometimes within 5 minutes of posting a feature flavor or special, there will be customers in the shop! They especially love it when someone comes in and says “I found you because of Yelp.” Chippy’s products are available for online orders and nationwide shipping. Their incredibly delicious popcorn will make you realize that Wisconsin has much more to offer than cheese and beer; but in case you want all three, they’ve got that covered too: Beer Cheese Popcorn, just because they can!
Watch a quick video on how to fold our gift basket boxes and view our entire line of gift basket packaging.
Thank you so much Buffie and Nashville Wraps for your OUTSTANDING customer service, GREAT products and plain ol’ NICE people!!
We are honored to be a part of your blog!