A popcorn flavor called Dilly Dilly tastes like pickles. Another one, Scotch-A-Roo, borrows from a classic Midwest bar treat.
That’s two of more than 30 flavors, all made in small batches.
I like how this shop started as a tiny market stand run by a brother and sister. Now the same family looks after the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball.
That’s quite a glow-up for a few kettles of kernels.
The holidays make this place even more tempting. You can build a gift box with flavors you pick yourself.
You can also grab a big tin that looks ready for a party table.
I believe Iowa knows a thing or two about corn. This shop just found a sweeter way to prove it.
So which flavor would land in your stocking first?
A Market Stand Became A Family Popcorn Story Worth Sharing
Back in 2012, siblings Sydney and Carter Rieckhoff helped launch small businesses inside NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids.
Carter’s popcorn stand was called CR Popcorn, while Sydney ran an ice cream stand nearby.
About a year and a half later, the family moved the popcorn and ice cream operation across the street into a permanent storefront. The popcorn business became known as Great American Popcorn Company.
The name Almost Famous Popcorn came later. In 2018, the family rebranded the business as it expanded production and prepared to sell more widely beyond Cedar Rapids.
Parents Bill and Robyn Rieckhoff are part of the family business too. Sydney graduated from Stanford University in 2020 and returned to Iowa in 2022 to lead the company full-time as CEO.
Growth kept coming after that. The business expanded production, opened a Des Moines shop in 2020, and moved further into online and wholesale sales.
Then came another big step in 2022. The family acquired Noble Popcorn in Sac City, an operation connected with the Cedar Creek Popcorn brand.
That acquisition also made the family caretakers of Sac City’s World’s Largest Popcorn Ball, a 9,370-pound landmark with its own building.
I love that detail. Few popcorn businesses can say a record-sized snack is part of the family story.
It makes holiday shopping feel more personal. You’re buying from an Iowa business that grew from a tiny market stand into a much larger family operation, one batch at a time.
Over 30 Flavors Means Nobody On Your List Gets Left Out
Thirty-plus flavors sounds like a lot until you start shopping for your whole family. Suddenly, that number feels just right.
Classic fans get covered first. Butter Than the Movies, Award Winning Caramel, and Cheddar Cheese handle the traditional crowd with ease.
Sweet tooths have plenty of choices too. Birthday Cake, Lemon Cookie, Root Beer Barrel, and Crunchberry Day all sound like dessert in a bag.
Some options even come drizzled with chocolate.
Then there’s the savory side of the menu. Cheddar Jalapeno, Parmesan Garlic, and Herb Garden bring bold flavor without any sugar rush.
Dilly Dilly deserves its own shout-out. It’s pickle-flavored popcorn, which means your pickle-loving cousin finally gets a gift made just for them.
Here’s a smart holiday move. Match each flavor to a person’s personality instead of guessing their shirt size.
Your sweet-loving aunt gets Birthday Cake. Your spice-chasing brother gets Cheddar Jalapeno.
Your grandpa who loves old-school treats gets caramel.
Everyone opens something that feels picked just for them. That’s way more fun than another gift card, and it disappears a lot faster too.
Good luck saving any for later.
You Get To Build The Gift Box Yourself
Custom gift boxes might be the best holiday trick at Almost Famous Popcorn Company. You choose the flavors, so the box fits the person getting it.
The shop offers set names that are easy to remember. Duet, Trio, Fab Four, and Champion give you different sizes depending on how generous you feel.
A Duet works nicely for a teacher or neighbor. A Fab Four or Champion feels better for a family gathering where lots of hands will reach in.
Pre-built boxes are available too. Those help when you’re short on time and just need something cheerful fast.
Large tins and individual bags round out the choices. Tins look great on a party table, while single bags make easy stocking stuffers.
My favorite tip is mixing sweet and savory in one box. Pair caramel with Parmesan Garlic, and everyone gets a little of both worlds.
Office gift exchanges get easier with this approach too. Nobody has to wonder what to do with another candle or mug.
Popcorn gets shared, snacked on, and finished. That’s a gift with a happy ending, and honestly, it beats wrapping one more pair of socks.
Holly Jolly Popcorn Sounds Exactly Like The Holidays
Some flavors are named so well they practically sell themselves. Holly Jolly is one of them, and it fits holiday shopping perfectly.
Its cheerful name makes it an easy pick for seasonal gifts. Tuck a bag into a stocking, and the theme does half the work for you.
Mixes are another fun choice this time of year. The Caramel Cheddar Mix blends sweet and salty in one bag, which is a classic Midwest favorite.
Want something with a little kick? The Actually Famous Mix is described as slightly spicy, so it adds some warmth on a cold December night.
These mixes work great for holiday parties. Set out a big bowl, and guests can snack while they chat or watch a movie.
Popcorn also travels well compared to many treats. It won’t melt in a car like some chocolates might.
That makes it handy for road trips to see relatives across Iowa or beyond. Toss a tin in the back seat, and you’ve got a hostess gift ready.
Just maybe buy a second bag for the drive. Arriving with an opened tin is a little awkward.
Check The Allergy Details Before You Build A Gift Box
Food allergies can make holiday gift shopping tricky, especially when one box may contain several different flavors.
Almost Famous Popcorn has produced certain gluten-free and nut-free flavors separately, and many products list their specific allergens online.
Still, not every flavor is free of major allergens. Current products can contain ingredients such as peanuts, dairy, and soy, so it is important to check each flavor individually.
That matters even more when you’re buying for someone with a diagnosed food allergy or celiac disease. Ingredient lists and current cross-contact information should guide the choice rather than the flavor name alone.
Ask the staff if you are shopping in person, or review the current ingredient and allergen details online before ordering.
The small-batch approach still gives shoppers plenty of choices, but allergy-friendly gifting deserves a little extra homework.
A thoughtful gift is much better when you know the person receiving it can actually enjoy what is inside.
Save Room For A Scoop And A Fizzy Soda
Popcorn may be the star, but the supporting cast is strong. The shop also serves premium hand-dipped ice cream from Chocolate Shoppe in Madison.
That gives you a sweet break during a long day of holiday errands. Ice cream in winter might sound odd, yet Iowans rarely let cold weather stop dessert.
Craft sodas line up as another fun option. They make quirky gift add-ons, especially for someone who loves trying unusual drinks.
Fresh fudge is available too. Few holiday treats feel more classic than a square of fudge tucked into a gift basket.
Here’s a creative idea for gift givers. Build your own basket with a popcorn tin, a couple of craft sodas, and some fudge.
Suddenly, you’ve made a movie-night bundle that looks way more expensive than it took effort. Add a favorite holiday film, and the gift is complete.
Kids might love picking out sodas for their friends. It turns shopping into a small adventure instead of a chore.
Just plan on grabbing a treat for yourself. Shopping on an empty stomach in a candy-scented shop is a battle you won’t win.
Free Samples Make Picking A Favorite So Much Easier
Choosing from over 30 flavors could feel overwhelming. Luckily, shoppers can sample flavors in the store before deciding.
That’s a big deal when you’re buying for someone else. Tasting Dilly Dilly first helps you decide if your pickle-loving friend will truly love it.
Sampling also helps you discover surprises. You might walk in sure you want caramel and leave with Lemon Cookie instead.
The shop sits at 1121 3rd St SE in Cedar Rapids. It’s right in the NewBo District, across from the NewBo City Market where the business first began.
Hours run every day of the week, starting at 11 AM. Checking the latest hours before you go is wise, especially during the busy holiday season.
A good plan is to taste a few sweet flavors, then a few savory ones. Switching back and forth keeps your taste buds from getting tired.
Bring your gift list along too. Jot down which flavor fits each person as you sample.
By the time you reach the counter, your shopping will basically be done. That beats wandering a crowded mall for hours with no real plan.
Faraway Friends Can Get Popcorn Delivered To Their Door
Not everyone on your list lives near Cedar Rapids. Thankfully, Almost Famous Popcorn Company ships its popcorn nationwide through online ordering.
Free shipping is available on qualifying orders. That can make sending gifts across the country a lot more budget-friendly.
Online shopping is perfect for college students, grandparents, or old friends who moved away. A box of Iowa popcorn can feel like a tasty hug from home.
Former Iowans might especially love this kind of gift. Flavors made in their home state can bring back plenty of good memories.
Timing matters during the holidays, though. Shipping gets busy in December, so ordering early is a smart move.
Try setting a reminder in early December. That gives your package plenty of time to arrive before the big day.
You can also send popcorn as a thank-you gift. Mail carriers, coaches, and helpful neighbors all deserve something cheerful.
Online ordering lets you check off several names in one sitting. No parking lot hunting, no long lines, and no carrying heavy bags back to the car.
Your couch becomes the best gift shop in town.
An Award-Winning Shop Earns A Spot On Your Holiday Route
Orbitz once named this shop one of the Top 5 popcorn shops in the United States. That’s a pretty big compliment for a business that began as a market stand.
Travel Iowa also gave it an award for Outstanding Retail Experience. So the shopping itself, not just the snacks, has earned attention.
Those honors make Almost Famous Popcorn Company an easy stop to add to your holiday plans. The NewBo District nearby gives you more places to explore before or after.
Consider turning gift shopping into a full outing. Visit the NewBo City Market, stroll the neighborhood, then finish with popcorn and a scoop of ice cream.
Out-of-town guests visiting Iowa for the holidays could enjoy the trip too. It’s a fun way to show off something local and delicious.
The name still makes me smile. Almost Famous feels a little modest for a shop with national recognition.
Maybe that’s part of the charm. The family keeps things friendly and grounded while the awards keep stacking up.
Either way, your gift list gets lighter and your snack bag gets heavier. That sounds like a holiday win all around.