There’s a lot to read Memorial Day weekend, but if you are looking for material, you can read these posts. The interview that I did with Jennifer Goforth Gregory was published here at Project Eve, and exceedingly nice. The other piece about us was in the Bowery Boogie. We are so fortunate to have you (that means you) with us as we push towards launch.
After the weekend we will be excited to unveil our Kickstarter project!
In the meantime, have a great holiday!
“I get by with a little help from my friends.” ~The Beatles
I’ve learned the secret to life and what it means.
Last week I was interviewed for Project Eve, and the writer asked me if there was anything about starting a business that surprised me. Honestly, I’m surprised every day, but I’m most surprised by how fun it is. That’s directly due to the many wonderful people I’ve been surrounded by. The support from my friends and family have been overwhelming – it’s been everything from feedback on the name of the company to a logo to painting a spider filled basement to a popcorn chef to hours of valuable advice. It’s impossible to list all the help that I’ve gotten, but I think about and am grateful for it (and you) every day. It’s the positive faith from everyone that keeps me inspired and motivated.
Getting Pop Karma off the ground would have been impossible without these people. I’m also astounded by the help I’ve gotten from those that I’ve met through Pop Karma. Business advice from my neighbors on Orchard Street (that includes you Steve, even if you’re not a neighbor), all the people involved in finding and signing my space, potential suppliers, everybody that’s been involved in getting it ready… it’s the people that keep me excited for what’s around the bend. That includes you.
So the secret to life? It’s all about relationships. Friends and family. Past, present and future.
As for the Beatles song, scratch that. I get by with a LOT of help from my friends. Thank you.
Construction started this morning at 95 Orchard! Check out the floor, it was stripped in 90 minutes. It’s so surreal to me that a 10 year old dream is quickly becoming more concrete every day. I alternate between wanting to bust out some sweet dance moves and wanting to hide in the closet. Too bad I can’t dance and my closet is too stuffed with work and home stuff.
Jon left the space clean and configured almost exactly the way we need it, so the work is cosmetic. My contractor, Rupila, says that it will take 3-4 weeks to finish, so now it’s a race between getting the equipment in and having the popcorn- and karma-making factory ready.
The atmosphere I am going for is urban zen. Hopefully those that pop in can get a dose of inspiration, energy and calm before heading back out into the streets.
Pop Karma has a home! We are on the Lower East Side at 95 Orchard Street (south of Delancey Street). I’m thrilled with our location. The Lower East Side (LES) pulses with energy and is a spicy mishmash of history and today. The LES is historically a Jewish area, immigrants have congregated there for a long time. Chinatown is right next door on a very porous border. New blood has steadily moved in so the LES has become an fascinating melange of old-time Jewish businesses, great bars and restaurants, and unique shops.
The area is definitely in transition, as detailed in this NYT article. We love our neighbors! A world class museum on New York City’s immigrant roots, The Tenement Museum, is right next door. On the other side of us a kitchen store, then Sam’s, who has been in business for over 50 years. Across the street is Great Beer, which sells and serves a dizzying selection of beer from around the world. Earnest Sewn is on the corner, and 88 Orchard is a buzzing coffee shop down the street. Our space is the former Il Laborotorio del Gelato, which has moved to a much larger and location a few blocks away at 188 Ludlow. Hopefully some of their karma will rub off on us!
Looking for a space became a Sisyphean task that took six months. I thought it would be easy – just think of the perfect location and sign a lease, right? Turns out there are availability, price and space constraints. After several brokers, an obsession with the Village, and a couple false starts, I finally took to walking the streets by myself in desperation (and sometimes with my friend James) and calling numbers in windows.
A friend suggested the LES, which I’d never considered, and when I went down there it just felt right. I called about another space, and Jack at Misrahi Realty just happened to show me 95 Orchard. As soon as I walked in, it felt like Pop Karma had a home. Happystance.
Spring in New York City has arrived early. The flowers that we usually see in May started blooming in March. They may signal a bad season for allergies or climate change, but they are still beautiful. I can’t help but smile and be inspired when I see them, even though it may seem like nature’s timing is off.
Sometimes things don’t happen according to schedule. For example, Pop Karma was supposed to open in March. However, it’s the first week in April, and we clearly aren’t open. (The new target date is June.) The biggest hurdle has been finding the right space. We need a place where we can thrive – where we can make popcorn, greet our customers, and participate in an inspiring community. All at a decent price. I’ve seen a lot of places, but I’m holding out for the right home for Pop Karma.
Sometimes the best things happen when you’re not looking at your schedule. Happystance.
The illustrator that worked on the Pop Karma logo, Amy Devoogd, did a fabulous illustration for the New York Times recently. Check it out here. You’ll see that the style is completely different from our logo. How talented is she?!
Amy worked with our creative agency Jaffe and Partners. She drew the circle and the cute field of popcorn. The stray bits of popcorn in the stamp are also hers. And she’s also doing a sketch for Karma Dog treats.
Congratulations Amy! We’re so proud and honored to have you work with us!
NEWS FLASH! A recently released study suggests that popcorn is an antioxidant powerhouse. One serving of popcorn packs more antioxidants than a day’s worth of fruit and vegetables. The author of the study, Joe Vinson, a chemist at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania says:
“Popcorn may be the perfect snack food.”
But you knew that, that’s why you’re here. In addition to all the antioxidants, it’s also a whole grain! Interestingly, the part that has the most antioxidants is the hull (the part that gets stuck in teeth).
Experts recommend that popcorn is air-popped instead of oil popped. And yes, Pop Karma is air-popped because we always have your health in mind — our goal is go create a healthy, sustainably grown, delicious snack.
Thanks to Henry and Massimo for sending over the news!
