Pop's Corn Crib, Wausau's vintage west side popcorn stand, is open for business again

Laura Schulte | Wausau Daily Herald

WAUSAU - Fresh popcorn is making a return to Wausau's west side.

Pop's Corn Crib has been closed for nearly 30 years, but the small cabin-like building at 627 N. Third Ave. has kept its sign and nostalgic memories for many. It will reopen its doors on Saturday, serving up fresh popcorn, candy and soda.

The shop is a summer project for 14-year-old Mac Ruffi, who will be a freshman at Wausau West High School next summer. His dad, Dwight Ruffi, set him up with the opportunity in hopes of teaching his son some new skills and giving him the opportunity to run his own business.

"The owner, Dick Holster, said that he had an opportunity for the kids," Dwight Ruffi said. "I said no at first. Then I thought about it. I have four boys, and Mac needed the opportunity."

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Mac isn't the first in his family to start his own business, either. Last year, his brother Nic started Big Nic's Ice Cream, selling ice cream from a cooler on the back of his bike.

Holster turned over the only key and the Ruffi family started remodeling the tiny building about a month ago.

"It was like a time capsule from the '70s and '80s," Mac Ruffi said.

The building needed a fresh coat of paint and a new roof. All of the old equipment had to be removed.

The old popcorn machine was gas powered, so the family also had to look for a new one. Mac and Dwight searched for one, and on a field trip to Madison they discovered a business that could help them.

"We found Badger Popcorn, and the guy taught us how to make popcorn," Mac said.

Then began the process of making the perfect bag of fluffy, popped corn. Mac said he's almost sick of popcorn after the 150 batches it took to perfect the recipe.

"Everyone got popcorn," Dwight said. "We gave popcorn to the mailman, to the people around the (Ruffi Law) office."

But it all came down to a secret salt, something the employees of Kreger's Bakery helped Mac find.

Mac said he's learned a lot from preparing his little stand for opening weekend, but one of the biggest lessons has been about debt. He'll spend the summer working to pay off a loan from his parents to fix up the small building. Once that's paid off, he said he still wants to invest the money back into his new business.

"I want to put grass around the building," he said.

The stand will open for the first time on Saturday, and Mac, along with his brothers, will be at the helm. Dwight said they're looking forward to hearing stories from their customers who can recall the last time the popcorn stand was open.

"They're selling nostalgia," Dwight Ruffi said. "Everyone wants to be back in simpler times."

Planning a visit to Pop's Corn Crib?

The Crib is at 627 N. Third Ave. It will be open Wednesday through Sunday each week, noon to 9 p.m.

Popcorn will be $2 for a small bag and $3 for a large bag. Candy and soda will also be for sale for $1.