Garrett Popcorn Shops' Flagship Store to Close

New Locations Opening at O'Hare Airport and in New York City

CHICAGO, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- For 25 years, Chicago residents and visitors alike have jumped on the line at Garrett Popcorn Shops' flagship store (670 N. Michigan Avenue) on the Magnificent Mile. On Saturday, May 31, the famous location, which is one of a growing number of Garrett Popcorn shops both in Chicago and New York City, will prepare its last batch of the signature snack that has kept Chicago popping since 1949. The closing of this iconic location for the brand comes in association with the ongoing development of the new Ritz-Carlton Residences.

"The Magnificent Mile won't look quite the same without Garrett's presence, but fans don't need to worry -- it's actually easier now to get Garrett Popcorn than it was this time a year ago," said Scott Schroeder, executive vice president and CFO of Garrett Popcorn Shops. "The flagship store will be missed, but you can't take Garrett out of Chicago -- the two just go together. We are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to return to Michigan Avenue."

Garrett Popcorn, which was recently recognized on national television during Ellen DeGeneres' highly-anticipated visit to the Windy City and is also a favorite of Chicago's very own Oprah Winfrey, is now available at four retail locations in Chicago (26 West Randolph, 2 West Jackson, 500 W Madison St. at the CitiCorp Center and 4 East Madison). And, last year, the brand made its debut in New York City with a flagship store on Fifth Avenue (560 5th Avenue at 46th St.) and a second location just outside of Penn Station (242 W. 34th St. between 7th and 8th Avenues). This summer will see the opening of additional outlets in both the United and American Airlines terminals at Chicago's O'Hare Airport and in NYC at Rockefeller Center's highly-anticipated MSNBC.com Cafe.

As the iconic Chicago brand continues to expand, Garrett Popcorn is introducing door-to-door, same-day delivery for its loyal fans inside the Chicago Loop and throughout Manhattan in New York City. And popcorn lovers everywhere can now take advantage of national delivery via the company's website, a significant source of growth for the brand, which has seen a 35-percent increase in sales over the last two years.

For more information on Garrett Popcorn Shops, please visit garrettpopcorn.com.

Source: Garrett Popcorn Shops

CONTACT: Clark E. Nesselrodt of Bullfrog & Baum, +1-212-255-6717,
clark@bullfrogandbaum.com; Janie Goldberg-Dicks of Margie Korshak, Inc.,
+1-312-751-5544, jdicks@korshak.com, both for Garrett Popcorn Shops

Web site: http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/

2008-05-21 17:20:49 0368263 PRNEWSWIRE