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At the heart of Waukegan, Gerdy’s Gourmet Popcorn offers more than just delightful flavors like red velvet cake, pecan caramel, and cheesy bacon. This popcorn shop is a beacon of opportunity for young individuals eager to learn the ropes of business and customer service.
Nina Davis, the visionary behind Gerdy’s Gourmet Popcorn, shares her mission with palpable enthusiasm: “The purpose is to empower our young people,” she explains. “The youth in our community are the future.” Davis is committed to providing a nurturing environment where young people can thrive and develop essential life skills.
Interestingly, “Gerdy’s” is not named after a person. It stands for “Growth, Empowerment, Resilient, Developing, Youth, Success.” This acronym reflects Davis’s dedication to fostering growth and resilience among the youth. Her journey began at another popcorn shop, where she first hired young employees and was inspired to create a similar space of her own.
“We decided to create our own business and still wanted to create that space,” Davis recalls. “So I started creating all of these different ingredients from home.” Her passion for crafting unique popcorn flavors blossomed into a thriving business that also serves as a training ground for future entrepreneurs.
One of Davis’s mentees, Eshantee Epps, stands as a testament to the shop’s impact. An early employee at Gerdy’s, Epps speaks emotionally about the sense of purpose and fulfillment she has found through her work there. Her story underscores the profound effect a supportive work environment can have on young lives.
“I’ve been in some very big rooms because of my godmother,” said Epps. “I met people I never thought I’d meet. Working with her really gave me the opportunity to get out of the house and it also helped me with my mental health.”
Davis says young people who’ve worked at Gerdy’s have gone on to do military service, enroll in college, and develop their skills at other places of work. She said she wants to continue to hire teens at the shop and pour into them what she’s learned about business, character, and life.
“They are the cornerstone of what we do,” said Davis. “Without them, this business would not be here.”
For more information about Gerdy’s Gourmet Popcorn, visit their website gerdyspopcorn.com