WILMINGTON — The owner of John’s Popcorn has passed his torch to a new generation – with a new name and location this week.
After a soft opening this week, Pop Culture opens full time on Wednesday, July 5. It’s a new store with a story that goes back decades.
John Swanson opened a franchise of Vic’s popcorn in Wilmington in 1987. After what he called an “unsuccessful attempt at retirement,” Swanson opened his own eponymous popcorn place in 2009.
John’s Popcorn operated near the New Hanover Regional Medical Center for years. Swanson’s product was simple – a few savory flavors, a few sweet ones – but it won people over. One of Swanson’s fans was Will Montgomery and his future wife Harlee.
After years in the sales industry, Montgomery found himself with a pressing need for a change.
“I found out I was going to get laid off, which was actually a blessing, even though it doesn’t sound like it,” Montgomery said. “It gave me about three months to get the ball rolling on something.”
Montgomery and his wife wanted to stay in their native Wilmington area. Montgomery said he also looked for something he could bring his own skills to.
“To be totally honest, I might not be the best at starting something – but I knew John’s popcorn was really, really good. And, no disrespect, but I knew he hadn’t been the best at the social media stuff – which is what I used to do. I knew if I got the word out, I just had to get the people to try the popcorn. Because really, I can flap my lips all day, but once you try the stuff, you’ll say, ‘okay, shut-up, this is good.”
Montgomery and his wife made Swanson an offer; Swanson accepted.
“We low-balled him, and he was dumb enough to accept,” Montgomery joked to Swanson, who rolled his eyes and went back to cleaning a popcorn cooker.
“John has been good enough to teach me, so for the last few months I’ve been learning all this techniques. I want to make sure the popcorn is as good as it’s ever been,” Montgomery said.
Pop Culture is located at 5202 Carolina Beach Road in Monkey Junction, across from Walmart. It is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and online here.
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