AMERICA'S ORIGINAL SNACK

INSPIRED BY THE BOARDWALK
We were asked by fledgling retailer Popcorn Pavilion Ltd. to create the company’s brand, retail concept store, branded environment and product packaging. Branding, store design and packaging, arguably three very important disciplines, are design firm mainstays each in their own right being a stand-alone project. It would be a challenge and an amazing opportunity to affect retail at this level by developing all three as a complete idea.

BLENDING BRANDING AND RETAIL
Popcorn Pavilion was inspired by images of the Ocean City Boardwalks of the 1890’s. The brand and retail packaging were so closely married (packaging being the vehicle for the brand at retail) we developed the branding, packaging and retail store concurrently. Inspired by the period we created hand painted typography and flourish-work combined with fresh blue and white stripes in a fun yet sophisticated design reminiscent of “Disneyana”. This direction proved just the right amount of historical significance and contemporary appeal and was used to unify the ideology of the brand, store and product.

RESTAURANT / RETAIL STORE DESIGN
The retail space would be an efficient 800 sq. ft. We developed the concept “franchise ready” with the theme, architectural and mechanical elements completely scalable and repeatable. “This is our flagship store” says CEO Grant Jones “having the concept designed with repeatability and scalability in mind will make it very easy to roll out stores when we start developing franchise locations”. The exhibition-style kitchen is viewable from the retail floor and customers get a front row seat as they watch the more than eighteen varieties of gourmet popcorn created before their eyes.

THE RESULTS
Popcorn Pavilion’s flagship location was so successful 100% of the costs of the design and construction were recouped the first year. Since its opening in 2009 Popcorn Pavilion has franchised internationally, absorbed a competing popcorn brand and opened a commercial commissary to help keep up with ever increasing customer orders online.