Del's Popcorn Shop - Decatur, Illinois
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Del's Popcorn Shop - Decatur, Illinois
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Iconic Del’s Popcorn Shop is a popular popcorn and candy shop on historic Merchant Street in Decatur, Illinois. Using all the original candy cases and kettle pots, it is basically a museum that remains an open business.
Originally Del’s Popcorn Shop opened across the street as The Popcorn Shop. John Baldwin, a type-printer by trade that ran his printing business in the basement below the confectionery, opened this new business in 1934. The shop was successful from the day it opened, with tempting aromas wafting out the door, luring customers in to buy the simple delicacy. It was the perfect inexpensive treat for the city as it recovered from the Great Depression.
From 1945 to 1952, Mr. Baldwin leased his business to Del Barnett. In 1952, Del bought it, changing the name to Del’s Popcorn Shop, and moving the business to its current location in 1967. The bricks used at the entrance were once part of Merchant Street.
After Del retired in 1975, he sold the business, and it has changed hands several times since, but it continues to be a successful central Illinois business. The most recent owner has expanded the popcorn business, and there are now a couple of Del’s Popcorn Shops in Springfield and one in Mt. Zion.
The Decatur Del’s Popcorn Shop resides in the historic Dodson Building. The upper floors of the Italianate facade can be identified by the long narrow arched windows that are capped with elaborate stone hoods carved with an acanthus leaf motif. The building was originally built by Benjamin Dodson, a wine and liquor merchant, around 1860 and was the location of his shop. The building is part of the Decatur Downtown Historic District.
Copyright 2022 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
September 11th, 2022
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