The Great Garrett Popcorn Caper: How Many Shops Did They REALLY Open?
Ah, Garrett Popcorn Shops. A Chicago institution, a national treasure, a producer of snacks so good they could probably win a Nobel Prize (for Snack Excellence, obviously). But how many shops did the Garrett family actually open around the Windy City? Buckle up, butter lovers, because this gets a little hazy.
From Humble Beginnings to a Kernel Empire
The Garrett saga starts in 1949, when a family recipe for caramel corn (so secret it could be in the CIA vault) took center stage on Madison Street. One shop, one dream: to share the magic of perfectly popped, ridiculously delicious popcorn with the world. Brave souls, those Garretts.
The Numbers Get Fuzzy, Like Unsalted Popcorn
Here's where things get interesting. Some sources claim the Garretts themselves opened just a handful of shops. Four seems to be the magic number before the Chodys came on the scene in 2005 and became popcorn royalty themselves (more on them later). But is that ALL they opened? Did they keep the recipe a secret and open speakeasy popcorn parlours hidden throughout Chicago?
The Conspiracy Theory: Garrett Ghost Shops
Let's entertain a wild idea for a moment. What if there are secret Garrett shops, hidden in plain sight, disguised as antique stores or hat shops? Maybe a knowing wink from the shopkeeper unlocks a hidden door to a haven of CaramelCrisp and CheeseCorn. I mean, if Las Vegas has hidden speakeasies, why not Chicago?
The Plot Thickens (Like Caramel)
Now, some might say this is crazy talk. But hear me out. Have you ever gotten lost in the labyrinthine corridors of Navy Pier, only to stumble upon a random popcorn stall with suspiciously good Garrett-esque offerings? Coincidence? I THINK NOT.
The Chodys Enter the Fray (with Shopping Bags Full of Popcorn)
Back to reality (sort of). The Chodys, bless their popcorn-loving hearts, are the ones who truly expanded the Garrett empire. They took those four shops and turned them into a global phenomenon, with stores popping up from Singapore to Dubai (seriously, that airfare for popcorn?).
So, How Many Shops Did the Garretts Open?
The answer, my friends, is a delicious mystery. We may never know the exact number. But hey, that just adds to the legend, right? Maybe one day we'll stumble upon a hidden Garrett shop, a testament to the Garretts' popcorn prowess. Until then, we'll just have to keep searching, one delightful kernel at a time.
