Spotlight: Popcorn Bliss in Castle Rock!
When Todd and Susan Martin decided to “turn the page” and leave the rat race of corporate life behind for a new adventure, neither of them suspected they’d soon be living their bliss.
“I worked in the corporate world for 38 years, commuting on a plane every week, and my wife spent 14 years as an assistant librarian for the Highlands Ranch High School,” says Todd. “We decided it was time to slow down.”
But Todd and Susan’s idea of slowing down was to find a store they could o
wn and operate themselves. “It was a lifestyle choice for us,” Todd says. “We wanted to make a living and have fun doing it.”
After looking at every conceivable franchise available, one day they happened into a popcorn store and the crunchy treat gave Todd an idea.
Paying to Learn Popcorn
“We found an elderly gentleman in Texas who had been in the popcorn business for 40 years and we paid him to learn how to do popcorn from scratch,” Todd says.
There are other ways to do it, he notes, but the Martins wanted their popcorn to be authentic and hand-crafted. So, after interning with a popcorn veteran they learned which equipment to buy and all about recipe flavors, the couple leased space in Castle Rock and opened Popcorn Bliss.
“We live in Castle Rock and so do our kids and grandkids,” Todd says “and it’s been amazing to see how many people – and how many families — come in who are in love with popcorn and candy.”
The Flavors
Popcorn Bliss makes 60 varieties of fresh gourmet popcorn. The flavors range from Original Bliss (theatre style, extra buttery, in original and low-salt) to Nutty Bliss (Toffee Almond, Spicy Voodoo Peanut, Caramel Pecan and Caramel Cashew) as well as all kinds of cheese, savory, and candy-coated varieties and blends.
The great thing about making popcorn from scratch is that you can experiment with flavors. And how do you know when a flavor experiment doesn’t work?
“When the popcorn doesn’t taste exactly like what you say it is!” Todd says. “But we have a Cheeseburger flavor that tastes just like a cheeseburger and a Lemon Square that tastes just like the sweet treat your grandmother used to make.”
The most popular flavors at Popcorn Bliss are the cheeses and the caramels, and surprisingly, Dill Pickle. Probably the most elegant flavor is the Black Truffle, which is literally infused with Black Truffle, extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan cheese – and is one of nine flavors that can be paired with wine!
The sizes range from a mini for $2.50 to the grand party size for $82. You can taste a few kernels to find your bliss at 6360 Promenade Pkwy in Castle Rock. Todd says if the lights are on, either he or Susan are there and waiting for you, Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00-6:00 p.m.
How do Todd and Susan like their new adventure?
“One of the greatest things, people engagement and hearing that kids would rather visit our store than the ice cream shop,” he says. “And it beats getting on a plane every week at 5:30 a.m.!”
Close to Crystal Valley!
With boutique shops and unique stores opening near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley, as well as the Outlets and historic downtown Castle Rock, the variety of shopping stops is plentiful! What’s it like to live here? Come and see the new homes offered by D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes and Richmond American Homes; the trio’s stunning models, both ranch and two-story designs, are nestled in nature and priced from the $300s.
