SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Jolly Time popcorn a Sioux City tradition for 99 years. A lot's changed in that time and so has the plant where it's made. Thursday, the buildings that have stood the test of time came down.
"My father is rolling in his grave," Garry Smith, American Pop Corn Company President.
That's because Garry Smith the fourth generation of Smiths to run American Pop Corn is tearing down a piece of history.
"This is how he processed popcorn for most of his career," Smith said.
This building used to house corn, that eventually made its way to homes all over the world as Jolly Time Popcorn. Built in the 1960's, corn cribs like this one off of Highway 75, were used to store popcorn on the ear until it was dry enough to process.
"We stopped using them in 2006, so it's been empty since then," Smith said.
Smith says the company now stores popcorn in these grain bins near the plant. Combines in the field separate kernels from the ear.
Even though the buildings have run their course, seeing the walls come crumbling down, brings back memories for some.
"To walk through those cribs when they were full of ear corn was just amazing, the quarters were real close, the alley ways were real narrow it was neat," Damon Lohry, Facilities Manager said.
Once gone, the company plans to use the space for additional warehouses.
"We're doing very well, we've grown quite a bit the last couple of years," Smith said.
Garry Smith says success with the company's Healthy Pop and Smart Balance products have fueled the need to expand. However he hasn't announced a timeline of when that might happen.
Bulldozer tearing down the last of the Jolly Time corn crib building.
