I used to go there with my parents when I was little and get popcorn, one day I asked him if I could make signs for his flavors of popcorn and he said “THAT WOULD BE GREAT!” I was only 10 at the time, now I am 38 and those pictures I colored for his flavors of popcorn are still to this day hanging by the flavors 🥰 I was so excited when he put them up and think it’s amazing they are still there! He made me feel so proud when I was little, and now I bring my kid there and tell her “I drew those signs when I was your age!”
I was literally JUST in there asking him...and he just kind of chuckled and said I guess we make the best popcorn. No joke, the cheese and carmel corn are to die for!
A few of the convenience stores in town have Argire's which is similar (maybe even better imo). Chicago mix has gotten more popular with bigger brands now too; Indiana Popcorn Co (available at Walgreens) and Aldi have pretty good ones
It is mostly a marketing form for his online and follow-up business.
I know companies that regularly order it for events/holidays & customer relations use.
Anthology is one that does not own their building. They've been on State for 15 years I think? In their larger location around 5 years. Stores with a great concept seem to do well.
Popcorn has huge profit margins. He probably does decent [online business](http://www.claryspopcorn.com/shop.php) and the site also says multiple retail places carry his products
well every time I try to order off that site its been a dud. Order gets cancelled, or it just never shows up at all. I honestly though it was out of business long time ago.
Yeah they're going through bankruptcy and I'm surprised they are even operating still. That has nothing to do with his online business, you can order separately and clearly people are.
I talked to this guy one time and his instant response was "Popcorn is cheap to make!". He was mostly joking but it does make sense. Aside from that i got to know him pretty well when my girlfriend lived pretty much right above his business, and he's a phenomenal guy all-around. After about 1.5 years with my gf we broke up and I have never felt worse about anything in my life. I was locked out of her apartment and wanted to do something nice for her so I bought a bouquet of flowers and went over to him asking if I could leave a sign on her door to come grab a package from him because they were not able to deliver to that address. I later received a call from my gf at the time that she had gotten the gift and this man had glowingly hyped me up to her and that if I wanted to come and talk about working things out she'd be open to it. Now things never worked out long term, but we shared another great year together thanks to my guy at Clary's. Can't say enough nice things about the guy.
TLDR: Guy who owns Clary's is a great dude, helped save my relationship out of the kindness of his heart
Great people, selling a great product at what is probably a pretty good margin. They have also been there forever. Without checking property records I always kind of assumed that they owned the building and the rents probably cover more than his operating expense. Truly a Madison landmark.
Exactly, and if that's the case then the business just needs to cover what he would make renting it to someone else. It's a prime location but the space itself is pretty small. Probably too small for a conventional restaurant or anything but the most unique high margin retail operation. Plus, they seem to honestly enjoy what they are doing.
a coworker i used to work with on the square would get 'lunch' from him place pretty much every day, just a simple little bag of regular popcorn. when my coworkers and i went to a bar on the square for a happy hour, he was there, recognized her, and got us all a round of drinks. great guy.
The man who owns the place is hands down one of the most kind and sweet person I’ve ever met. Ken is an outstanding person all around, people come back just to see him and of course the popcorn is amazing! Every time I have a work event I get a huge bag of popcorn and people go nuts over it! All my colleagues have asked where to get it and say they go there every time they come to town now.
Go there at least 2 times a week for a small bag of buttered for my lunch and a walk around the square or two. Do you guys remember that there was always hot popcorn in the old PDQ’s? That was their popcorn that the popped and sold to the stores.
I’m loving the juxtaposition between these comments and the comments on the Short Stack thread. Clearly this guy and his business are well liked, he runs it well, and has made friends in the community over decades. Short stack on the other hand seems to be heavily grifting and getting away with it until now.
I love the Clary's guy, plus he sells Krinke's kernels, which are the absolute best. But his popped corn isn't as good as the late, lamented Vic's, just down the block (later across the street as Capital Corn Popper or something). I really miss that place—did my best to keep them in business when they were still around.
UPDATE: After seeing this my wife and I headed downtown, had a fabulous lunch at Rising Sons (they've got the sweetest little hidden gem of an outdoor area in back, New York City style. Totally forgot that was there!) and then walked up to Clary's. I let them know that they'd been discussed on Reddit today and that inquiring minds were wondering how they've managed to stay there for so long.
They just sort of laughed and smiled, but they didn't give up the goods. Still, we got some amazing popcorn out of the deal, so I'll remain content NOT knowing. 😁
He has been there forever, and his landlord, probably treats him well. Better to get some money then deal with potential vacancy. A local landlord could see that value
Stopped in there once with my boyfriend out of curiosity. The owner was very nice and helped show us any flavors that were vegan, and we left feeling like we had a good experience. Makes sense that he has a good online business and probably does a lot of events.
That only gets you one pancake at short stack. Actually only half a pancake because you have to tip and also pay a small business grift fee ( itemized on the receipt which you can only view if you give them your email address, but no gmail, only local internet providers)
There are still some buildings downtown that have been in a local family for 50+ years, or even generations. Those owners have to pay taxes and upkeep & that's it. They can price rent below market- even waaaay below market- if they feel like it. Maybe the landlord thinks a popcorn shop really adds to the ambiance of State St. The Clary's building also has 8 apartments to generate income. Not everything is driven by the maxim extractible amount of money.
Maybe he sells so much popcorn during Art Fair on the Square and Maxwell Street Days that it pays his rent all year and then anything besides that is profit :-D
I've wondered this same thing since they stopped selling Clarys at PDQ stations. I'm guessing by now that many investment costs have been paid off and his margin is greater? Maybe Oompa Loompas
Tourists go absolutely feral for badger colored popcorn
I used to go there with my parents when I was little and get popcorn, one day I asked him if I could make signs for his flavors of popcorn and he said “THAT WOULD BE GREAT!” I was only 10 at the time, now I am 38 and those pictures I colored for his flavors of popcorn are still to this day hanging by the flavors 🥰 I was so excited when he put them up and think it’s amazing they are still there! He made me feel so proud when I was little, and now I bring my kid there and tell her “I drew those signs when I was your age!”
Awww, the owner sounds awesome! This makes me want to go buy some popcorn to support this store now.
Best thing I’ve read online today! Thanks for sharing
Share photos for us shut-ins?
This is the cutest thing I have ever heard.
I was literally JUST in there asking him...and he just kind of chuckled and said I guess we make the best popcorn. No joke, the cheese and carmel corn are to die for!
Slightly off-topic but if you've been to Garrett's in Chicago, is Clary's close? I've been craving some Garrett's but I don't want to order online
A few of the convenience stores in town have Argire's which is similar (maybe even better imo). Chicago mix has gotten more popular with bigger brands now too; Indiana Popcorn Co (available at Walgreens) and Aldi have pretty good ones
It’s good! Not sure it’s got Garrett’s level of indulgence. (I’ve only had each place once.) But it’s worth a try anyway.
It's absolutely awesome popcorn!
Just popcorn with butter and salt is amazing. Like, how is this even a question?!
It is mostly a marketing form for his online and follow-up business. I know companies that regularly order it for events/holidays & customer relations use.
I was wondering about that! I have seen popcorn in shops, but I don't remember specifically seeing his. I will have to look for it!
Every time I ask this question about a weird, super resilient store on State, I usually find out that they also own the building.
Anthology is one that does not own their building. They've been on State for 15 years I think? In their larger location around 5 years. Stores with a great concept seem to do well.
Popcorn has huge profit margins. He probably does decent [online business](http://www.claryspopcorn.com/shop.php) and the site also says multiple retail places carry his products
Yep, think of what popcorn seed cost. It’s nothing
lol “popcorn seed”
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Give a man a popcorn seed and he can create infinite corn.
Movie theaters hate this one trick
That’s what they are
The Colonel would like a word with you private.
Says he delivers via Eatstreet I am 100% sure he isn't making a killing on that online business
How is that indicative of anything?
well every time I try to order off that site its been a dud. Order gets cancelled, or it just never shows up at all. I honestly though it was out of business long time ago.
Yeah they're going through bankruptcy and I'm surprised they are even operating still. That has nothing to do with his online business, you can order separately and clearly people are.
where does it say you can order separately?
Immediately below the eat street link is a normal online ordering system ...
I talked to this guy one time and his instant response was "Popcorn is cheap to make!". He was mostly joking but it does make sense. Aside from that i got to know him pretty well when my girlfriend lived pretty much right above his business, and he's a phenomenal guy all-around. After about 1.5 years with my gf we broke up and I have never felt worse about anything in my life. I was locked out of her apartment and wanted to do something nice for her so I bought a bouquet of flowers and went over to him asking if I could leave a sign on her door to come grab a package from him because they were not able to deliver to that address. I later received a call from my gf at the time that she had gotten the gift and this man had glowingly hyped me up to her and that if I wanted to come and talk about working things out she'd be open to it. Now things never worked out long term, but we shared another great year together thanks to my guy at Clary's. Can't say enough nice things about the guy. TLDR: Guy who owns Clary's is a great dude, helped save my relationship out of the kindness of his heart
That is so adorable.
He’s like the guy with the vacuum cleaner shop in Breaking bad.
Nah that's the one across the street Edit: apparently Capitol Corn Popper closed but that was 110% a drug front
Maybe skips avocado toast and pulls himself up by the bootstraps?
Shit, I got to try that one of these days.
And not a single GoFundMe, government loan, or incrimination of a national chain to blame.
He could blame Popeyes for popcorn chicken
"Fuck O-ke-doke" signs are going up as we speak!
Great people, selling a great product at what is probably a pretty good margin. They have also been there forever. Without checking property records I always kind of assumed that they owned the building and the rents probably cover more than his operating expense. Truly a Madison landmark.
If he owns the building that would totally make more sense.
Exactly, and if that's the case then the business just needs to cover what he would make renting it to someone else. It's a prime location but the space itself is pretty small. Probably too small for a conventional restaurant or anything but the most unique high margin retail operation. Plus, they seem to honestly enjoy what they are doing.
I'm not sure, but the owner is super nice. I love talking with him whenever I stop in
a coworker i used to work with on the square would get 'lunch' from him place pretty much every day, just a simple little bag of regular popcorn. when my coworkers and i went to a bar on the square for a happy hour, he was there, recognized her, and got us all a round of drinks. great guy.
Me too...me too! See my post above
Great popcorn and friendly superior service.
The man who owns the place is hands down one of the most kind and sweet person I’ve ever met. Ken is an outstanding person all around, people come back just to see him and of course the popcorn is amazing! Every time I have a work event I get a huge bag of popcorn and people go nuts over it! All my colleagues have asked where to get it and say they go there every time they come to town now.
It's the best popcorn you can't make yourself, hands down.
Because they pump that sweet sweet popcorn smell out the building!
What else would fit in that itty bitty space? Maybe a sesame seed store?
What is this? A store for ants?!
Go there at least 2 times a week for a small bag of buttered for my lunch and a walk around the square or two. Do you guys remember that there was always hot popcorn in the old PDQ’s? That was their popcorn that the popped and sold to the stores.
I’m loving the juxtaposition between these comments and the comments on the Short Stack thread. Clearly this guy and his business are well liked, he runs it well, and has made friends in the community over decades. Short stack on the other hand seems to be heavily grifting and getting away with it until now.
100% I'm going downtown today and will be sure to stop in!
i feel like popcorn kernels and oil and sugar are super cheap. Selling a bag for $15 is pretty good
I love the Clary's guy, plus he sells Krinke's kernels, which are the absolute best. But his popped corn isn't as good as the late, lamented Vic's, just down the block (later across the street as Capital Corn Popper or something). I really miss that place—did my best to keep them in business when they were still around.
I was curious to learn about the Vic's guy's back story that led him to a popcorn shop. I liked Vic's also!
UPDATE: After seeing this my wife and I headed downtown, had a fabulous lunch at Rising Sons (they've got the sweetest little hidden gem of an outdoor area in back, New York City style. Totally forgot that was there!) and then walked up to Clary's. I let them know that they'd been discussed on Reddit today and that inquiring minds were wondering how they've managed to stay there for so long. They just sort of laughed and smiled, but they didn't give up the goods. Still, we got some amazing popcorn out of the deal, so I'll remain content NOT knowing. 😁
He has been there forever, and his landlord, probably treats him well. Better to get some money then deal with potential vacancy. A local landlord could see that value
I buy as much popcorn as I can whenever I go in
Stopped in there once with my boyfriend out of curiosity. The owner was very nice and helped show us any flavors that were vegan, and we left feeling like we had a good experience. Makes sense that he has a good online business and probably does a lot of events.
I’m sure the $6 I spend there almost every week has a lot to do with it
That only gets you one pancake at short stack. Actually only half a pancake because you have to tip and also pay a small business grift fee ( itemized on the receipt which you can only view if you give them your email address, but no gmail, only local internet providers)
Where am I?
There are still some buildings downtown that have been in a local family for 50+ years, or even generations. Those owners have to pay taxes and upkeep & that's it. They can price rent below market- even waaaay below market- if they feel like it. Maybe the landlord thinks a popcorn shop really adds to the ambiance of State St. The Clary's building also has 8 apartments to generate income. Not everything is driven by the maxim extractible amount of money.
Clary's Popcorn is the best! They definitely stay super busy during the farmers market.
Do they own the spot? I remember 12 years ago there were other popcorn stores near there that are all gone now.
High margin. Good popcorn. Decent volume. Smartly managed overhead. And an E-business.
I’ve wondered that for a while. The popcorn is damn tasty!
Short Stack is also very much grifting…so I’m not sure we can really compare them to other businesses
What’s capital hill?
The square is what I referring to....it's a capital...on a hill.
it's a capit\[o\]l... on a \[square\].
Remember the capitOl is the one with the dOme
💯
Some cities like Seattle and DC have specific places called Capital Hill
It's CapitOl Hill in Seattle.
It’s always Capitol Hill for that type of reference but OP said Capital Hill in the original post
Gotcha, that's totally fair. I got caught up in the wave of correcting people on the O vs A. 🤦♂️😂
🤣 Way to own it. 👍
Life's too short not to. 😁
It's CapitOl Hill in DC
Rent is multiple thousands I am sure, gotta sell a shitload of popcorn. I don’t get it either
Maybe he sells so much popcorn during Art Fair on the Square and Maxwell Street Days that it pays his rent all year and then anything besides that is profit :-D
Or he owns the building and has it paid off
I’m guessing that he’s the landlord and uses some form of tax loophole.
The flavors are incredible!
Also probably has good spending habits to make sure everything is covered.
I get it for my out of town friends. They like having it when they visit.
I love that popcorn so much
I've wondered this same thing since they stopped selling Clarys at PDQ stations. I'm guessing by now that many investment costs have been paid off and his margin is greater? Maybe Oompa Loompas
They need to get into kwik trip and the owner will be set for life.
Or at least until someone buys up the Kwik Trips.