Highland Popcorn celebrates one year in business, providing job opportunities for people with disabilities
It's a snack that is typically associated with a ballgame, a movie or a Super Bowl party. When it comes to popcorn, there's a place in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul where popping corn is changing lives.
It's been one year since Highland Popcorn opened for business.
"I told the employees on day one, this is our party every single day, and they may not come in with a smile but they are gonna leave with a smile," Craig Applebaum, who runs the store, said.
Aside from having excellent attitudes, the employees at Highland Park have diagnoses, like James Marrinan who has autism.
"I think it's important if you ask me is because people with disabilities... it's a common belief they can't do it as well as somebody without those types of issues. Whether it be autism or Down syndrome, or you name it," Marrinan said.
Scott Applebaum also helps run the store.
"There's probably a huge misconception that they can't do the work," he said.
But he says he has seen the opposite play out.
"We haven't told them one thing to do. James could run this entire store," Scott Applebaum said.
Conor O'Meara and his dad, Seamus O'Meara, created the job opportunities after identifying a real need.
"We just hear story after story from parents and families who just can't believe it — a business like this is around— because they have young adults or children that there are not very many opportunities out there," Scott Applebaum said.
Now, a year into the mission, the staff is thriving.
"If you asked me when I first came here if I expected all the things I did, I would have said 'Not really,'" Marrinan said.
The business is thriving too.
"We are in 18 Lunds and Byerly's which is, businesswise, pretty remarkable considering it's not even a year old," Scott Applebaum said.
"The model is not just to hire people with disabilities but for them to sustain and keep a job," Craig Applebaum said.
