I can still smell it... walking through downtown Huron and smelling the Karmelkorn coming from the Karmelkorn Shop. I loved that store! It was one of my favorites in downtown Huron, besides Newberry's cafeteria with a window-side seat.
Karmelkorn was a "new" confectionery in early 1931 when it first made its way to Huron. It was sold at "The Delite Shop" just south of Huesgen's jewelry store. It was to open at the end of April, managed by Zeno Haberman. In the first advertisement, this new treat was described as "the new candy-coated popcorn... is always fresh, delicious." Explaining how Karmelkorn is different, made from "snowball" popcorn with a luscious coating of candy made principally of sugar and butter, noting there is no molasses involved. It is sold only under the registered trade name of "Karmelkorn."
And furthermore, it was said to be a nutritious snack!
By 1941, The Delite Shop was selling more than Karmelkorn and ice cream. Advertisements mention preparing dinners and by 1945 was apparently a restaurant, but must have continued to make some candy, as they advertised homemade fudge and divinity. But no mention of Karmel Korn.
The Delite Shop changed ownership on Dec. 16, 1947. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Peck would dispose of their interest in the shop, after two years' ownership, to Curtis Jones. But at that time it appeared to be a restaurant.
Enter the Cub Nut Hut that same year, owned by Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Baird. Besides the Nut Hut, there was also a Cub Lunch also owned by the Bairds. The Bairds continued with these businesses until April of 1950, when they sold the business to the new owners/managers, Frank and Alva Schmidt. The new owners also assured the public that they will feature "Karmel Korn" and that they "are the only store in Huron" selling this confection.
In April of 1951, the Schmidts took out an ad in the Plainsman thanking everyone who patronized the Cub Nut Hut. They were opening a new business, the Karmel Korn Shop, in the same location. The Delite Shop was still in operation but made no mention of Karmel Korn in their advertisements. Early in 1956, the entire stock of fixtures and equipment of the Delite Shop Cafeteria was sold and the business closed.
Besides the awesome treats sold within, the Karmel Korn Shop had the distinction of having President Truman poke his head inside the shop while on a visit to Huron.
How Karmel Korn came to be the feature of the Delite Shop and then the Cub Nut Hut, and finally the Karmel Korn Shop, is unknown. But it's a treat I still miss.
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