Sampler at
Carmel Corn Cottage
There is nothing quite as alluring, as promising and intoxicating, as the smell of something tasty, wafting on the breeze, attracting anyone with a sweet tooth. It’ s something salty, something earthy, something light yet filling, a delicious staple with just a hint of something more, something sweet.
That smell, drawing you through the streets of Nashville, is popcorn. The smell is probably emanating from The Carmel Corn Cottage.
“ Yeah, follow the smell,” said owner Jim Rispoli.“ That fan I put in a while ago is really another sales person.”
Located in the red and white building on the North end of Van Buren Street, The Carmel Corn Cottage has been providing fresh, daily popped popcorn since 1979.
In addition to their popular hot buttered and carmel popcorns, the Carmel Corn Cottage offers 100 flavors of gourmet popcorn ranging from Amaretto and Apple to Very Berry and Watermelon.
Their original carmel corn is made from scratch ever day in the original copper kettles with real butter for that rich old-fashioned taste.
If that’ s not enough to get your carmel corn motor turning, how about double-dipped carmel with nuts. It has extra carmel, is dipped twice and coated with nuts, making it extra sweet crunchy.
Then there are the Carmel Delites without any kernels or hulls.
“ We have a new item we call‘ The Ultimate,’ which is we drizzle vanilla chocolate and milk chocolate over our buttered toffee chocolate delights,” said Rispoli.
The store also offers caramel apples, made with Granny Smith or Red Delicious apples, with or without nuts; delicious homemade fudge; and tasty home-made peanut brittle made with honey.
You can also get goodies like hot dogs, ice cream, pretzels, and fudge.
Of course, these days, a large portion of the business is internet-based, shipping products all over the country. They are especially busy around Christmas time. Their products can be ordered at < carmelcorncottage. com > but the best thing about the place is the free samples. And it is always open.
“ We’ re open seven days a week, every day, winter, summer, spring, and fall,” said Rispoli.“ It’ s a tourist town and I believe stores have got to be open.”
Years ago in Nashville, the old Jessup’ s Caramel Corn wagon used to be parked right out on Van Buren Street near the main intersection of town during the autumn hustle and bustle and spread that intoxicating smell all over town, captivating anyone with a sweet tooth and a sense of direction.
Now, you can satisfy that desire any time of the year down at the Carmel Corn Cottage. •
30 Our Brown County • March / April 2018