A new beacon of hope for the disabled workforce is aglow in St. Paul, with Highland Popcorn, a nonprofit venture, slated for an upcoming grand opening. Set to debut on Super Bowl weekend, this specialty popcorn shop is brewing excitement not just for its gourmet flavors but for its meaningful employment strategy. According to CBS News Minnesota, Highland Popcorn is positioning itself as a community cornerstone by primarily hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In a heartwarming changing of the guard, the founder and president of Highland Popcorn, attorney Shamus O'Meara, is switching gears from law to the popcorn business, bringing a personal touch to the enterprise. His son, Conor O'Meara, 25, who has autism and hosts a local radio show, will be among the employees. "It means a lot to me to work somewhere that I love that I cherish all my life," Conor O'Meara told CBS News Minnesota.
The store, touted for its unique employment opportunities, is a partnership venture with local marketers, disability services, popcorn professionals, and notably, Lunds & Byerlys, which is extending space for these snacks at its store while leasing the outlet regional specialty. "The job is somewhat repetitive in nature with the different tasks, and I think that draws to the strengths of people with autism and other disabilities," Shamus O'Meara expressed during his interview with CBS News Minnesota.
With a location already picked out on Ford Parkway in the Highland Village Center, Highland Popcorn is preparing not only to delight taste buds but also to shake up the status quo of employment and community interaction. People just stopping by for a sneak peek of the shop, hoping that it was open, were greeted with chuckles and warm welcomes from the founder, telling an older couple, "But pick your table — I'll put your name on it for you!" Shamus O'Meara said with enthusiasm after introducing himself to the patrons as quoted by the Pioneer Press.
Highland Popcorn doesn't just aim to be a fleeting sweet spot in St. Paul. Shamus O'Meara hopes to lay the groundwork for a business model that other employers might replicate across different industries, promoting inclusivity and purposeful work environments. "Providing a job is life-changing," O'Meara underscored in his discussion about the shop's mission with CBS News Minnesota, "It's not just about a job, it's about friendships, it's about connections, it's about getting out in the community, and these are really great things."
