A long vacant Starke County industrial building could soon have a new occupant. Chicagoland-area-based gourmet snack food producer Gary Poppins plans to move into the Stelrema building on U.S. 35 this summer and be fully operational in that space by the end of the year.
The company opened as a gourmet popcorn retail storefront in Evanston, Ill. in 2003 and expanded to a wholesale producer and distributor a few years later. Officials say it’s no longer feasible to rent their existing space in Franklin Park, Ill. They plan to make Knox their sole production and distribution center for their global operations.
Gary Poppins officials are seeking real and personal property tax abatements from the county to help offset the cost of their relocation. The first step in that process is to designate the site as an economic revitalization area, which the Starke County Council did last night. The public hearing on the proposed abatements totaling $1.7 million will take place at their April meeting.
Gary Poppins General Manager Ryan Amos told the council the company has tremendous growth potential and will likely hire 40 or so local employees once the relocation is complete. He adds the company is looking to put down roots and make Starke County its permanent home.
