The ABC network's “Local-ISH” will feature Popcorn World's plethora of flavors in honor of Black History Month.
ABC 7 filmed Jan. 27 for about two hours at Popcorn World's Gary location, 2560 Garfield St. The afternoon promised popcorn tasting for those who came out. A steady stream of 25 to 30 customers visited the store.
Chelsea Whittington, owner and CEO of C WHITT PR, said in an email that producers at the network were browsing on the internet for small businesses to showcase during Black History Month. They came across Popcorn World via social media.
Look for ways to watch the episode later in Black History Month on abc.com/shows/localish.
Husband-and-wife team LeBarron Burton Sr. and Nina Burton bought the business from a partnership of owners in 2018. The company originally started in 2008 as Popcorn Haven and was rebranded as Popcorn World in 2015.
Popcorn World, which has locations in Gary, Michigan City and Oaklawn, Illinois, is known for its many flavors of popcorn. A licensee will open another store in Indianapolis in a few weeks.
Popcorn World sold over 95,000 bags of popcorn in its first year of business, according to its website.