Flavors for Every Tastebud: JT’s CarmelKorn Station Delights for the Holidays
December 2024 SBS - Hannah Chatterton
On the picturesque Seminary Street, JT’s CarmelKorn Station stands out with its carnival-like striped storefront and the unmistakable aroma of freshly made caramel corn. Jackie Turner, owner and operator, has been serving up this local favorite since relocating from the Sandburg Mall, where she started over a decade ago. Jackie is known for the quality of her caramel corn, saying, “I use real butter, none of that fake stuff.”
JT’s offers an impressive range of flavors, making it easy to find something for every preference. Jackie’s classic caramel corn made fresh weekly in a copper kettle, is a hit with the locals and rivals the big popcorn names in flavor and quality. She also carries creative varieties like BBQ, vanilla, Seminary Street ghost pepper, lemon pound cake, and several types of cheese corn that won’t leave your fingers orange. Not due to preservatives, though; the clean fingers are thanks to the type of cheese she uses. For nut lovers, JT’s caramel corn with Spanish peanuts or a blend of almonds, pecans, and cashews adds a unique and decadent twist to the mix.
With the holidays approaching, Jackie is preparing to bring back her popular cinnamon-spiced popcorn, a winter favorite. Shoppers can mix and match flavors to suit every craving—Jackie happily personalizes her tins to include beyond the standard three flavors, with a combination of whichever flavors you or your family and friends want, or even just “a sprinkle of hot on top to taste.”
With different events and seasons, Jackie adds brownies, mini donuts, hot dogs, or nachos to her offerings, much to the delight of longtime customers. Her entry into the caramel corn business began when she and her friend, Dorris, took up shop along with an Orange Julius shop in the Sandburg Mall. “Someone remembered my brownies from the mall about 20 years ago,” she says with a smile. Although most of her business remains local, Jackie hopes to expand online, aiming to offer her high-quality products to a wider audience at a fraction of the cost of big-name brands.
Jackie believes in customer service as much as quality, freely offering taste tests to ensure customers are thrilled with their choices. “I think people still like customer service. They like it when something can be customized. I want people to be happy,” adding that, “when you spend your money, I want you to feel good about what you’re getting.”
With each batch made in-house and flavors that surprise and delight, JT’s CarmelKorn Station is the perfect spot to grab a holiday treat that’s sure to delight the sweet tooths and heat seekers alike. Jackie’s customization options and commitment to quality make it a true Forgottonia gem for families and visitors.
Find JT's CarmelKorn on the back page!
