Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Company has a history that crosses state lines. Founded in Ohio, Shirley’s maintains a corporate store in Ohio along with a location at 102 S. Main St. in Harrisonburg.

“There are two sets of owners, two couples, and there are two stores,” Marty King, a Shirley’s employee, said.

King has been working at Shirley’s for five years. He makes popcorn and provides customer service in an enjoyable work environment. 

“I like my coworkers, the people that I work with,” King said.

Shirley’s sells multiple flavors of popcorn, both the sweet and savory variety. 

“We have theater style, which is just the plain butter-flavored popcorn that you find if you were to go to a theater, and then there is the class category, and that is all the cheddar and spicy cheddar, and then the third category is premium which is anything with chocolate on like white chocolate or milk chocolate kind,” King said.

After years on the job, King is grateful for his experience with Shirley’s.

“I’ve learned a whole new trade,” King said. “Popcorn is something I never thought I’d do, but it’s fun.

By Antony Elgohary, Grace Fleshman, Lilly Nutter, Addison Flint