Meet Journal Star food and dining reporter Cas Waigand
Journal Star reporter Cas Waigand covers food and restaurant news throughout the Peoria area.
- The Popcorn Shoppe only saw four customers on one Saturday and most of January has been the same.
- Without customer support, the business said “our doors will permanently close.”
- The Popcorn Shoppe moved to Downtown Peoria last year. It said gaining approval from the city took longer than expected and caused “some irreparable damage.”
PEORIA – A local business is once again asking for support during a difficult time.
The Popcorn Shoppe said it is struggling with a slowdown in business. Following a recent field trip, for example, the shop said it saw no customers after 12:30 p.m. – despite being open until 6 p.m. – and only three earlier in the day. It said the rest of January has been much of the same.
“We had four customers in the four hours open last Saturday,” The Popcorn Shoppe said in a social media post. “We paid out more in employee labor than we brought in in revenue that day. Truth. No business can survive with that as their reality.”
While the post acknowledged parking in Downtown Peoria is “really chaotic,” it said spaces are readily available on Saturday when many surrounding businesses are closed. A “Bring Your Own Bucket” promotion is being offered through Monday, Jan. 19, the post said, with shoppers having their name entered into a raffle for free popcorn.
Ultimately, though, The Popcorn Shoppe realizes not everyone is in a position to support the store financially. It encouraged readers to share the post, adding that doing so “takes no money at all, and could help us immensely.”
The post has garnered hundreds of reactions and shares.
Many commentors offered suggestions on how to bring in sales, while others offered words of encouragement and support. Some, such as Peoria Camera Shop, said this time of year can be slow for businesses.
“Hang in there!!!” Peoria Camera Shop said in its comment.
Others, however, commented on the business’ new storefront – with some saying they never visit Downtown Peoria and others commenting on accessibility challenges.
Situated at 317 Main St., The Popcorn Shoppe relocated from Peoria’s Metro Centre late last year. The decision to move was not made lightly, the business said, adding that it “would not exist today” if it hadn’t found its current location.
Even so, the business said it has experienced its own challenges at the storefront. Gaining approval from the city to reopen took longer than planned, the post said, and led to a five-figure loss of revenue.
“We were so thankful to finally reopen our doors again, but some irreparable damage had been done to the business at this point,” it said.
Snowy sidewalks, “drug addicts” and unhoused individuals around the store have also posed challenges since opening, according to the post.
Despite this, The Popcorn Shoppe wants to continue to support local organizations, host field trips and “be a shining light” for the community.
“None of this is possible, however, without you, our wonderful customers,” the post stated. “Without customers, no business can exist. We are no exception, and we need your help more than ever. We are only one store, and without customers coming here to support what we are doing, our doors will permanently close, and with it, all of the good that we want to be for the Peoria community.”
This is not the first time The Popcorn Shoppe has made such an appeal to the community. It outlined similar slowdowns in January 2025 and February 2024. Both times, the business saw a boost following its post.
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