What’s poppin’? A Belleville gourmet popcorn shop opens a new Fairview Heights store

In the last two years, The Perfect Pop Gourmet Popcorn has gone from a home-based operation that sold goods online and at local farmers markets to a thriving business with its own store location.

Make that locations.

The latest development for the business is the recent opening of a store at Fairview Heights’ St. Clair Square mall.

I stopped by this week and spoke with owner Stephanie Williams.

The new store opened Friday, July 1. However, prior to setting up shop in one of the mall’s retail spaces, Williams said they started with a kiosk as a test run of how well the product would sell.

The Perfect Pop operated this way for three months before Williams decided to open a full store, which is located on the second level opposite JCPenney and across from American Eagle at what I still call “the Sears end” of the mall.

The shop is set up to look like a movie theater concession stand. Movie posters hang along the wall behind the counter and include “Jaws,” “Boyz N the Hood,” “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,” and “The Godfather” (a favorite of mine).

Popcorn flavors on offer include the basics: butter, caramel and cheddar. Then there are The Perfect Pop’s classic flavors, including Insanely Delicious Strawberry Cheesecake, Creamy Oreo Cookies and Fully Loaded Baked Potato, as well as some other unique flavors like Banana Pudding and the Throwback Mix (a combo of the homemade caramel, cheddar cheese and spicy rippled chips).

There are also free samples of popcorn, in case you aren’t sure which flavors (yes, plural) to get. Now how’s that for an offer you can’t refuse?

I highly recommend the Delicious Caramel Pecan. (Seriously, it’s a real challenge to not eat the whole bag in one go.)

In addition to the delicious popcorn, The Perfect Pop serves up eight different flavors of ice cream, from kiddie cones to quart-sized containers. Candy and beverages are also available.

Williams said they will soon add a few tables and chairs that will allow customers to hang out, watch movies on the flatscreen TV and play games.

Williams and her husband, Eddie Williams, started The Perfect Pop in 2020.

In June 2020, Williams set up the Perfect Pop’s Facebook page and started taking online orders.

The business grew, and soon a new, larger space was needed.

Williams joined the Turkey Hill Grange and was offered the use of the group’s industrial kitchen. She was able to use the Grange’s on-site trailer to sell the popcorn.

Business continued to grow, and in August 2021, The Perfect Pop opened a Belleville location at 5112 North Belt West.

Their sweet and savory popcorn can also be purchased at area Fresh Thyme stores, both Belleville Farmers Market locations, Freeburg Country Mart and Market Basket in Edwardsville.

The Perfect Pop Gourmet Popcorn at St. Clair Square will hold a grand opening Friday, July 8, and all are welcome.

The new store is open during regular mall hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit theperfectpopgourmetpopcorn.com or facebook.com/ThePerfectPopGP.