Do you smell what I smell?

By Sara Wiercinski

Aldi shoppers smell it while loading groceries. Staff at Waldo Hardware know the heavenly aroma. You can even catch a whiff west of Wornall.

This time of year, the Waldo air is scented like cinnamon and butter – thanks to Topsy’s, makers of holiday popcorn by the canister from its headquarters at 221 W. 74th Terrace.

“The construction workers come in all the time and tell us how amazing it smells,” said Tanya, a Topsy’s retail associate, referring to the seven-story Oberon condo development going up across the street.

“We also hear the most amazing stories from people, their Christmas memories. I love working here.”

Since 1987, the 74th Terrace location has been home to the seasonal storefront and year-round production facility and corporate office.

Sarah Adams is Topsy’s Customer Service Manager. She says the popcorn maker produces more than one million pounds between Halloween and Christmas, and expects to sell more than 100,000 holiday tins.

The shop began as Patsy’s in 1929, and changed its name to Topsy’s 1950. Today 12 retail locations operate year-round, including a Brookside Topsy’s on 63rd St and a store at Truman Corners in Grandview. 

So how about the fragrance in the four-block radius surrounding 221 W. 74th Terrace? 

“All of our popcorn is handcrafted in small batches using high quality ingredients,” said Topsy’s owner Bob Ramm. “It’s the same original recipe from 1929.” 

“Small batches means our production team is constantly making new popcorn.”

The 1 to 6.5 gallon holiday tins are full of butter, cheese, caramel or bright-red cinnamon flavored popcorn. Adams says cinnamon tops the favorite polls on social media each year. Gourmet flavors like Pecan Crisp have a following.

Topsy’s mail order business ships popcorn all over the country and world. Adams says packages have gone as far as Guam.

“It’s a Kansas City holiday tradition,” said Adams. “I love the festive atmosphere and being part of customers’ traditions.”

“Also, the warm caramel and cheese popcorn right after it’s been made but eaten together is a life changer!”