The Culp family (from left, Gary, Larry, Amber, Olivia and Jenn) talks at their storefront in Cromwell.

What started as a discussion between two booths at a farmers market has become a boon and a legacy for the Culp family.

The Culps were selling sweet corn and produce at the Ligonier Farmers Market when they struck up a friendship with Sam Buckles, founder and then-owner of King Korn. He was looking to sell his business and luckily, they were in the right place at the right time to say yes.

That was 2021, and four years later, theyve kept the name and expanded the business to include a storefront at their property, located on 200 North, between U. S. 33 and Lake Wawasee, on Noble REMC lines.

There are a lot of popcorn companies out there to choose from, Gary Culp said. Were different.

Though Gary is considered the president of the company, Larry, his father, is adamant that its truly a family business. That includes Garys sister, Amber; his wife, Jenn; and his two children, Olivia and Oliver.

We dont have titles. We all just do everything, Larry said.

The family does everything from popping and flavoring to bagging and shipping.

While the only piece they dont control is the growing of their kernels, they have plans to change that in 2026 by taking that on as well. Its important to them to use butterfly popcorn, like the type found in movie theaters, because you get more coating per piece of popcorn, meaning customers get more of the flavors they create.

And they have a lot of fun and obstacles when creating those flavors.

From puffy chow to beer can chicken, each recipe has been tested and created from scratch. Each batch of caramel or candy-flavored popcorn uses three pounds of butter, making 20 bags of popcorn. That means if a recipe doesnt go well, its a tough loss.

Its kind of like a do or die when you try something new. You never know how its going to turn out, said Larry, who is still working with his family to perfect a Mountain Dew-flavored popcorn.

Theyre currently ramping up for their busiest season of the year, mid-September to mid-January the holidays but the summer has been kind to them because of their location near Lake Wawasee.

Larry Culp empties a fresh batch of buttered popcorn from the popper. One batch nets 20 bags of popcorn.

They ship to all 48 states in the continental U. S., and though theyve had requests from overseas, theyre not eager to take on those logistics.

For now, its about staying close to their roots.

They help their community by providing popcorn for local fundraisers at schools and churches. Theyve also kept their prices stable during the past few years of supply cost unpredictability and inflation.

And of course, the family named whats traditionally called Chicago-style popcorn, the combination of cheddar and caramel corn, to Cromwell Style in tribute to where they come from.

With 72 different recipes and a rotation of 45 in stock at any one time, they want to keep growing and give more to their customers.

My goal is that when Im dead and gone, Larry said, these two [his grandchildren, Oliver and Olivia] will be sitting on a big company with lots of employees.

Larry and Gary Culp point out one of their most popular flavors, old-fashioned caramel corn, which is the same recipe that former owner Sam Buckles passed down to them.

King Korn

WHAT SHOULD I ORDER?

Most popular flavors

Old Fashioned Caramel

Cromwell Style (caramel and cheddar)

Oreo Cookie (made with original Oreo crme and pieces)

Sweet Heat (caramel and jalapeno cheddar)

Snack Mix

Underrated flavors you should try:

Memphis BBQ

Steakhouse

Cheeseburger

Beer Can Chicken

HOW DO I BUY OR ORDER?

Visit kingkorn.com to shop online or follow King Korn on Facebook to see which farmers market or trade show theyll be at next.

You can also visit their storefront at 10199 W 200 North in Cromwell