ST PAUL, Minnesota — A new shop is getting ready to open in St. Paul's Highland Park. They're using popcorn to offer employment opportunities to those who often face a disproportionate number of barriers when looking for work.
"For people with autism and developmental disabilities, it's a very difficult situation coming out of high school to try to find meaningful employment," said Shamus O'Meara, president of Highland Popcorn. "I'm a father of a 26-year-old with autism and our family sort of lives that experience. It impacts our family dynamics in a number of ways."
O'Meara's son, Conor, will be working at the nonprofit popcorn shop and serving as their communications director.
"I'm a lawyer but... 35 years as a lawyer doesn't prepare you for retail popcorn. That's for sure," O'Meara said.
It's been a long journey getting to this point. O'Meara said they have been working on the idea for the past four to five years.
Why popcorn?
"Popcorn is a straightforward process. So it's very teachable. From popping, to sorting the seeds, to bringing them over to a production area to tumble in the cheese," said O'Meara, adding that it provides many different types of opportunities for employees.
"I'm looking for in a job something new that I've never done before like this popcorn job," said Jane Christenson, an employee who was training at the shop on Thursday morning. "I have never made like gourmet popcorn before. It's a pretty cool job."
Ryan Wright, who serves as a direct support professional and job coach, said his favorite part of the job is, "Working with these folks. Bringing them out to the community and showing them that they're capable of working just like everybody else. They do a really good job."
Highland Popcorn is located in the Highland Village Center. The space is owned by Lunds & Byerlys. Not only will they sell popcorn from their shop, in the next few weeks it will be on the shelves at Lunds & Byerlys locations.
They have several other partners, as well. The concession company Gold Medal Products had a national trainer at their location on Thursday morning.
The nonprofit MSS is helping as their workforce partner.
"People just don't know unless they live it that... transportation is extremely difficult for people with disabilities, whether it's mental mobility or trying to get a ride out of your individual living setting. So we're working around those issues," O'Meara said.
Highland Popcorn will also have a sensory room employees can use when they need a break.
O'Meara added, "Just being a part of the fabric of our community. I think that's an important aspect to really anyone but someone with a disability... it's a life-changing situation when they when they get a job."
Highland Popcorn will be open on Super Bowl Sunday from about 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. After that, they will be closed on Mondays but open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hours could change so check online for the most up to date information.
Highland Popcorn
2138 Ford Pkwy
St. Paul, MN 55116
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