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Ajza Anderson serves popcorn at Popped Bliss. Located at the corner of First and Chester, the store sells many varieties of popcorn. photo by Paul Habeeb

Popped Bliss
75 Chester St., Champaign
(217)355-0655
Store hours:
Monday-Thursday 10 am-6 pm
Friday 10 am-7 pm
Saturday 10 am-5 pm

The folks of Cool Bliss, the Hawaiian shaved ice stand that calls Neil Street home during the warm summer months, have opened Popped Bliss near downtown Champaign a few weeks ago at 75 Chester St. The only gourmet popcorn shop of its kind in the CU, Popped Bliss offers a wide range of kernels from your classic buttered, movie theater-style popcorn to quirky flavors like bacon cheese and cheesy ranch.

"Popcorn is such a comforting food," owner Ajza Anderson said. "And a lot of people like it because it doesn't fill you up that much."

With the holiday gift-giving season steadfastly approaching, Ajza believes this is the perfect time to open up a shop like Popped Bliss. Anderson and her fiancée Alven run the business together, Ajza as the flavorer, Alven as the "big popper." Ajza said they researched extensively and visited several different popcorn shops to learn the trade over a course of two months. The kernels are popped and flavored at an off-site kitchen that is much larger than the shop. "We'd be elbow to elbow in flavoring bowls if we had to do it here," Ajza explained.

Ajza explained that the names of her two businesses, Cool Bliss and Popped Bliss, were not coincidentally similar. "We wanted people to know we are the same people (that run Cool Bliss)," she said. "Bliss is such a cool word. As soon as you walk in (the store), you're in this stage of bliss, like 'Oh my god, look at all this popcorn! Everything I need is right here!'

"Bliss, kind of, to me, just rounds it all up to your feelings when you come in here," Ajza said.

Bags of popcorn and popcorn balls start at about $1.50 and can go upwards of about $20. Popcorn tins, which are popular holiday gifts, can range from $32 to $83 depending on flavors and sizes. Custom orders, including colors and special flavors, and requests are always welcome for special event or occasions.

"We plan on being here for years to come," Ajza said. "It's not just a seasonal place."

A grand opening is in the works for the near future.