A number of our 61ers have mentioned "Ed's Popcorn Stand." And how I remember that! This was free enterprise at its most basic level. Ed Artis, the proprietor, was blind; however, that didn't stop him from running an excellent business that made the absolute best popcorn and carmel corn in town. As a wee lad, I remember stopping by and reaching up to the counter to pay for my purchase, and Ed impressed everyone by knowing the "feel" of each coin. Later, it was always fun to pick up a bag of Ed's popcorn before heading to a movie. Please leave your memories of Ed's Popcorn Stand in the "comments" section below. Love to hear what everyone remembers. Thanks to Colleen (Bryngelson) Zick for find this photograph, which appeared in the Valley City Times-Record in 2005. Can anyone guess at the date it was taken? Click on picture for larger image.
14 comments:
Loved seeing the stand and picture of Ed! My parents used to preach against our spending money there, but it was certainly a popular after-school spot for me and my friends. Ed was so friendly and seemed to know everyone. I wish my children had had an opportunity to patronize a business like Ed's Popcorn while they were young, and to find so much happiness with just a few nickels. His being there whenever we came in made all the difference in that experience. That popcorn was delicious, too.
Beth Anderson -- VCHS 1961
Wow what memories Ed's Popcorn Stand brings back.
I'm guessing the picture was taken in the late 50's. I recall this story of Ed's popcorn stand. In 1957 VC Jr. Legion was playing Fargo in a night game in VC. I recall we got rained out so some of us went to the movie (Omwick)still wearing our baseball uniforms. After the movie we stopped at Ed's where he told us of the devastating tornado in Fargo that hit Fargo while we were in the m ovie.We then listened to the new cast about the tornado. Funny the things we remember.
I think this is from the mid-50's when Ed's Popcorn Stand was on Central at the vacant lot just north of California Fruit. It'd be about across the street from the Coast to Coast store.
I remember buying candy cigarettes (shame on me) and those waxy tiny bottles with juice in them. Also popsickles. I don't think I even realized that he was blind until I was older. I remember his stand on Central, then did he move south, sort of across the street from our appliance store??
Barb, YOU smoking candy cigarettes? Wow...you know how to shatter an image. Haha. And back in those days, "ladies" didn't smoke (at least not as common as it has been, tide is turning for all smokers, I believe). And I recall to those tiny wax juicers. Were we supposed to eat the wax? Can't recall. And, Ron, I remember that store just to the south of Ed's...I thought it was called the "California Fruit Store." Am glad you mentioned that as it confirmed my memory of that name. A classic "general store," as I recall.
Speaking of the California Fruit Store, I recall that it was about the only establishment in town that was allowed to be open on Sundays. We were all right with it!
Testing comment system
Larry, I like this new comment system better! A little easier to navigate.
And, yes, I loved the taste of those candy cigarettes, and I do believe that I also "pretended to smoke" . . . yikes!
I sort of remember chewing the wax on those fruit juice things as tho it were gum. Wasn't very good though.
He did move, to 3rd Street NW about across from the back door of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. It was next to a yellow brick apartment bldg, maybe even on the sidewalk. There was a open lot on the corner that Miller Motors used for used cars and he may have been on the edge of that. For some reason I can picture him in a popcorn wagon at that time, not a bldg. probably a figment of my imagination.
Yo, Barb, yup..I think this is a better system. I see the Google server caught up with submitted comments this morning, 7:50 A.M., Pacific Daylight Time - gonna' be another warm one out here in the desert today. Everybody walks their dogs EARLY, like moi.
Ron - you mentioned Miller Motors. That's where I bought my second car from Leland Sampson's dad. Then I didn't like it after a week and went back and bought the slightly more expensive Ford Fairlane 500 Two-Tone Hardtop (yellow and white) that he tried to sell me in the first place. I believe the cost was $575. That was 575 hours on duty at KOVC. Miller Motors, at that time, was located east of Central Avenue near downtown, if memory serves (and frequently doesn't).
I've checked the Google "Blogger" forums and this comment problem is widespread. Google is "working on it." Seeing as how we pay nothing for this quite sophisticated service, I can't make too many "demands." Stay tuned.
Ed's location across from Our Saviors was also almost across from my dad's store! So I was remembering correctly, for a change. I remember the stand as more of a wagon than a building as well -
It is obvious that his place was a very popular place with members of the Class of 61. thanks, LouVay and Diane, for helping us with his last name. I knew it the moment I saw it.
Hey Barb, I knew the minute I saw it also. It's kinda like,"I was watching the baseball, then it hit me."
Actually, this "re-living the old days" that we are doing is not only fun, but also makes us aware of how much we have temporarily forgotten about our childhoods! Guess that happens when you don't think about it at all for 50 years.
Was searching for a pic of Ed's Popcorn stand today and found Hiliners61! Hi you guys!
This was the best popcorn on the planet-not even the Omwick could compare. My father, Vince Olson would stop at Ed's and get a couple of paper bags full frequently. I would hold the butter-stained bags filled to the brim as steady as possible in the car on the way home as The Big O would scoop up giant handfuls with one hand and drive with the other. About a third of a bag light by the time we got home-which was not a long drive. :) Warm Warm memories of life in Valley City now lost to time. I stopped at the spot the train bridge used to cross the Sheyenne by the Mill not too long ago. All those summers swimming...jumping off the boxcars...nothing there to show the bridge was ever there any more...Mill is gone now too....Wish i could go back in time. My father would have been 95 last Thursday.
thinking of you all, hope you are doing and feeling well and wish you the best!
Dan Olson
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