Ginger Frank - Founder _. Co-CEO of Poppy.jpg

Ginger Frank, founder of Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn, poses with her product. | Photo courtesy of Darby Communications

When Ginger Frank first launched her craft popcorn company back in 2014, it was a one-woman operation.

Fast forward almost ten years, and the company has secured a $3 million Series A funding round, employs more than 50 people, and distributes its product across the country.

“To come from [where we began] to where we are now… it’s like a really fitting classical American dream,” shares Frank. “I feel like I’m on the outside looking in... just because it’s been so incredible.”

If you’ve ever tried a bag of Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn, then you understand why it’s caught on like wildfire. The flavors, ranging from pimento cheese and cinnamon bourbon pecan to Cold Mountain beer, are innovative and addicting.

Ginger Frank and Meherwan Irani — Poppy regularly collaborates with local chefs like Meherwan Irani to create new flavors.

Frank isn’t afraid to experiment, with off-the-wall flavors like the discontinued spicy spirulina (a protein-packed, powdered algae popular in the health food community).

But what has really propelled Poppy’s growth, says Frank, is Asheville’s tight-knit startup community, specifically the circle of female entrepreneurs she meets with on a monthly basis.

“When things come up, we’re able to reach out to each other, discuss things, be honest, know we have confidentiality, and get solid advice from each other,” she explains. “When we’re all successful, it makes us stronger.”

To that end, Poppy has brought in a new co-CEO, Susan Aplin, to help Frank lead the company’s next phase of growth. The biggest problem Aplin hopes to solve, with the help of the latest funding round, is capacity.

“Today our process is very manual and labor-intensive,” Aplin told AVL today. “Investing in $2 million worth of automation equipment will make the production process more seamless and efficient.”

Ultimately, these investments should increase production by at least six times, and Aplin says the team expects to double its workforce to 100+ employees over the next few years. Talk about a business that’s popping.

EVENTS

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Tuesday, March 14

Dog’s Night Out | Tuesday, Mar. 14 | 5-9 p.m. | Twin Leaf Brewery, 144 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Enjoy a night on the town with your pups including craft beer, Smokee’s Pizza, animal trivia, and much more; one dollar of every beer supports Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.
Pie for Pi Day | Tuesday, Mar. 14 | 6-8 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free | Whether you want to win bragging rights as the best pie maker in the neighborhood or just want to sample different pies, don’t miss this sweet event.

Wednesday, March 15

Venture Asheville Talent Jam | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Mule - Devil’s Foot Beverage Company, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | $10-$20 | Find local talent, support Asheville’s startup and small business ecosystem, and have a great time at this networking event for entrepreneurs.
Cider Dinner with Botanist & Barrel | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Rhubarb, 7 SW Pack Sq., Asheville | $75 | Enjoy a four-course, Appalachian-inspired dinner paired with ciders from Botanist and Barrel.
The Trail Running Film Festival | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 7 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $20 | This touring film festival features stories about trail running, from independent filmmakers all over the world.

Thursday, March 16

Speakeasy Improv Presents: Improv Jams | Thursday, Mar. 16, Thursday, Apr. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Enjoy a free night of speakeasy-style improv and play.

Friday, March 17

St. Patty’s Makers Market | Friday, Mar. 17 | 3-7 p.m. | French Broad Brewing, 101 Fairview Rd., Asheville | Free | Celebrate St. Patty’s and shop from local artists and vendors.

Saturday, March 18

Asheville Marathon and Half | Saturday, Mar. 18 | 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville | $95-$125 | Start in Pack Square Park and traverse through the River Arts District at this scenic, USATF-certified race.
Therapeutic Slow Flow Yoga | Saturday, March 18-Saturday, Dec. 30 | 10-11 a.m. | Mount Inspiration Apparel, 444 Haywood St., Asheville | $0-$15 | All bodies are welcome at this class, which explores meditation, breathwork, and movement.

Sunday, March 19

2023 UNC Asheville Annual Pi(e) Run | Sunday, Mar. 19 | 3:14 p.m. | UNC Asheville Quad, 1 University Heights, Asheville | $10-$20 | Run or walk (or skip or trot) 3.14-miles in honor of Pi Day at this annual fun run.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

41º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain

Civic

At today’s meeting, Asheville City Council will decide whether or not to contribute up to $20 million worth of funding for McCormick Field facility improvements. As we reported earlier this year, the Asheville Tourists baseball team has shared it may relocate if it can’t make certain upgrades to its stadium. (Mountain Xpress)

Number

$1 million. That’s how much funding Mountain Housing Opportunities has received from Dogwood Health Trust to help build 68 affordable homes in Leicester. The first homes are expected to become available in late 2024 to early 2025. Once completed, the project could house up to 300 residents.

Festival

The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival returns for its 21st year of experimental, out-of-the-box performances from Sunday, March 19 to Sunday, March 26. Dive into this weird and wacky vibe at Marquee Asheville’s free kickoff party on Sunday, March 19.

Jobs

The WNC Career Expo will be held on Thursday, March 23 from 11 a.m–4 p.m. at the WNC Ag Center. Expect to meet employers in sectors like advanced manufacturing, health care, and the service industry. There will also be career readiness or career search support available on site.

Try This

A new craft beer experience is launching in Asheville this month. City Brew Tours Asheville will blend local history, beer knowledge, round-trip transportation, and beer and meal pairings for visitors and locals. Learn more and book an experience.
Former AVLtoday Editor Ali McGhee is leading a special Plant Identification and Yoga Earth Day Hike on Saturday, April 22. The ticketed event will explore an array of medicinal native plants and finish with a meditation and flow on top of Bearwallow Mountain.

Shop

Getting adjusted to daylight saving time? Take a sip from one of our coffee partners. Try Midnight Oil from Blanchard’s Coffee or Organic Matcha from Matcha Nude. We’re already feeling refreshed. ☕

Cause

Celebrate Pi Day (a few days late) with the UNC Asheville Annual Pi(e) Run, happening Sunday, March 19 at 3:14 p.m. Run or walk the 3.14-mile campus loop and chow down on pie at the finish line. Proceeds benefit UNCA’s Asheville Initiative for Math (AIM). Sign up. 🏃*

Travel

Summer travel is just around the corner. On our radar: this mid-century modern stay in Martha’s Vineyard. For something a little more tropical, our pick is this seaside cottage in St. John. If international travel is calling your name, this charming home along the French Riviera is for you.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

SPORTS

Watch UNC Asheville in the big dance 🏀

Senior Drew Pember has averaged 21.2 points per game this season. | Photo provided

Get ready to don some Bulldog blue, Asheville, because the UNC Asheville men’s basketball team has earned a spot in this year’s NCAA tournament.

UNC Asheville’s first matchup is with No. 2 seed UCLA on Thursday, March 16 at 10:05 p.m.

Basic background

This will be UNC Asheville’s fifth time in the NCAA tournament and the first time since 2016. The Bulldogs earned this year’s bid after winning the Big South regular season and Big South tournament championship. The Bulldogs finished the season 27-7, netting a record-high number of wins.

UCLA has a 29-5 record. The Bruins have won 12 of their last 13 games and this will be their third consecutive NCAA appearance. Last year, the Bruins went out after losing to UNC in the Sweet 16.

How to watch:

Tune into TruTV at 10:05 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 16
If you happen to be in Sacramento, score tickets starting at $100

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: TKTKTK

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Be sure to bookmark this camping guide for when the weather warms up, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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