The History of The Popcorn Stand

Louie Knudson and the Story of Louie’s Korn Krib

From Popcorn Wagons to  An Iowa Falls Tradition 

This is the beginning of the direct story that eventually leads to today's Popcorn Stand. 

The history of The Popcorn Stand in Iowa Falls would not be complete without telling the story of Louis S. “Louie” Knudson. Louie wasn't simply the owner of a popcorn stand. For decades, he was known throughout Iowa Falls as “The Popcorn Man.”

His popcorn wagons, his travels to celebrations across Iowa, his generosity during World War II, and eventually Louie’s Korn Krib helped create a tradition that has survived for generations.

1919 -Louie Enters the Popcorn Business

A newspaper profile of Louie tells us that his popcorn career actually began in 1919. He started with two popcorn wagons and he and his wife, Ethel, attended dozens of celebrations around the state selling popcorn. Louie's association with popcorn began long before the familiar metal stand appeared in 1948.

1929-Ethel Encourages Louie to Build a Popcorn Stand

By 1929, Louie's popcorn business was entering another chapter. Historical information we previously uncovered tells us that Ethel Hopkins Knudson persuaded Louie to build a popcorn stand. 

The Metropolitan Theatre and a Popcorn Controversy -One of the most colorful pieces of Louie's history has been preserved through his family. According to Mike Cleavenger, grandson of Louie and Ethel Knudson, one of Louie's early popcorn locations was near the Metropolitan Theatre. Louie's popcorn apparently became a little too popular. Mike confirmed that the theater did not appreciate having Louie's popcorn business competing with its own concessions. The competition eventually resulted in Louie having to move his stand. It was not a decision that everyone quietly accepted. According to Mike, his grandmother Ethel was quite upset about the situation. While the details of the disagreement have been preserved through Knudson family history rather than a newspaper account we have located so far, the story offers a wonderful glimpse into just how established Louie's popcorn business had become in downtown Iowa Falls. 

 The Depression Years  

The timing of Louie's new venture turned out to be significant. The Great Depression began in 1929. While many Americans had little money for luxuries, popcorn remained an inexpensive treat. A bag could be purchased for only a few cents. Across the country, popcorn businesses actually flourished during this difficult period because popcorn was affordable to produce and affordable to buy. The same inexpensive treat became part of summer evenings in Iowa Falls.  

1931 — A Young Bill Riley Sells Popcorn

 One of the wonderful stories connected to Louie's stand comes from Iowa Falls' own Bill Riley.   

That wonderful account helps show that the Popcorn Stand wasn't simply a place to purchase popcorn. It was already becoming part of the social life surrounding Estes Park. 

The 1940s — Louie's Korn Krib 

Ethel Knudson died in 1941, the same year the United States entered World War II. Louie's Korn Krib continued operating and became particularly busy during the war years. Louie and Ethel's children, Joan and Jack, helped their father operate the family business. Popcorn itself became increasingly popular during World War II. Sugar rationing reduced the availability of candy, while popcorn required no rationed sugar in its basic form. Americans consequently turned to popcorn as an inexpensive snack. 

World War II — Popcorn for the GIs 

Perhaps the most touching chapter in Louie's history isn't about a location at all. It's about what Louie did with his popcorn profits during World War II. This remarkable piece of family history was shared by Louie and Ethel's grandson, Mike Cleavenger. 

During the war, Louie used the profits from his popcorn business to send popcorn to American GIs serving overseas. The little popcorn business in Iowa Falls had become part of the war effort. But Louie did something else that would turn his generosity into a deeply personal connection with the servicemen receiving his popcorn. He included his name and Iowa Falls address with the popcorn he sent. 

And the GIs began writing back. Letters arrived from servicemen far away from Iowa Falls—young men serving their country who had received a little taste of home because of Louie. Those letters meant the world to him.

According to Mike, Louie kept the letters beside his chair in the living room. At night, he would sit in his chair and read them. He treasured those letters. It's difficult to imagine a more meaningful piece of The Popcorn Stand's history. Every bag represented more than popcorn. It was a reminder to a serviceman thousands of miles from home that someone back in Iowa was thinking about him. 

And for Louie, every letter that came back was something worth saving and reading again. 

The Popcorn Stand wasn't simply operating during World War II—it was participating in the war effort. 

May 1943 — Fire at the Stand 

In May 1943, Louie's popcorn stand at Stevens and Washington caught fire. A clerk had briefly stepped away and accidentally left a switch on. The butter became too hot and burst into flames. People inside nearby Aborn's Drug Store spotted the fire and called the fire department. Water from a hand pump was used to extinguish the blaze. The interior and windows of the stand suffered damage, but the business survived. 

1946 — 110,000 Bags of Popcorn 

After the war, Louie's popularity showed no signs of slowing down. A newspaper profile reported that in 1946 alone, Louie sold an astonishing 110,000 bags of popcorn. The same account described Louie as someone was loved by both young people and adults in Iowa Falls. By then, generations of people had grown accustomed to seeing Louie and buying his popcorn. He had become part of Iowa Falls. 

1948 - The Stand We Know Today -Arrives 

This is one of the most important dates in the history of today's Popcorn Stand. Louie's Korn Krib installed a brand-new, modern popcorn stand. The metal-clad stand had been manufactured by Manley, Inc. in Kansas City and made its way to Iowa Falls by train. 

It featured bright electric lighting and twin popping machines. This is the year that would forever connect Louie's name with the little metal popcorn stand people recognize today. The metal Korn Krib represented the next generation of a business that had evolved from popcorn wagons and earlier downtown stands. 

1953 — The Stand Moves  

The Korn Krib wouldn't remain in the same place forever. On May 1, 1953, street widening required the popcorn stand to be relocated. The stand was moved to: 324 Main Street This location was just south of Estes Street and east of the post office. Once again, the little popcorn stand adapted and survived.  

1955 — 25 Years of Louie's Popcorn 

 A 1955 Iowa Falls Centennial advertisement for Louie's Popcorn Stand at 324 Main Street, celebrating 25 years in Iowa Falls. The advertisement proudly marked '25 Years in Iowa Falls - 1929 to 1955' and identified Louis Knudson as owner. 

1957 — Louie Says Goodbye to the Business 

After decades as Iowa Falls' beloved Popcorn Man, Louie's time behind the business eventually came to an end. Louie may have stepped away from the business, but the tradition he and Ethel had helped build continued. 

Louie and Ethel couldn't have known that generations later, people would still be buying popcorn from the little business they helped create. They couldn't have known that the stand would survive moves, changing owners, changing  streetscapes and more than three-quarters of a century. But it did. And the story of Louie’s Korn Krib lives on.

Family Legacy

Preserving the Knudson Family History, A very special thank-you belongs to Mike Cleavenger, grandson of Louie and Ethel Knutson, for sharing his family's memories and helping preserve pieces of this story that may never have been recorded in a newspaper. Mike's recollections preserve the story of the Metropolitan Theatre dispute, his grandmother Ethel's reaction to having to move the stand, Louie's extraordinary contribution to the World War II effort, the popcorn sent to American GIs, and the treasured letters Louie kept beside his chair and read at night. 

Also Michele Skanes, grandaughter of Louie and Ethel Knutson. She is seen here (above) visiting The Popcorn Stand as a youngster. Although she never got to meet her grandparents the stand still holds a special place in her heart. She visited as an adult also. Seen here (below) with her dear cousin.

Mike & Michele's father, Casey Cleavenger (pictured above), son in law of the Knudson's visited The Popcorn Stand in his eighties, driving all the way from Washington state by himself. It was a huge compliment when he told the current owners that the popcorn was as good as it was when Louie made it. 

The family memories that have been shared, add something dates and newspaper clippings alone cannot provide: They tell us who Louie & Ethel were. And they help ensure that the story behind one of Iowa Falls' most beloved traditions will not be forgotten.

1957 — Louie Sells the Business

In April 1957, after operating the popcorn business with his wife and children for nearly three decades, Louie Knudson sold the business to Darwin Dougan. Louie's chapter as owner had ended, but the little stand continued.   

Ethel Knudson passed in 1941 and Louie Knudson passed in 1959. Their memory will always live on within An Iowa Falls Tradition.