When Bridget Mora was growing up, she believed that jobs were to earn money. She didn't realize her work could also be something she loved -- until she and her husband, Tony Mora, and their daughters Alexia Mendoza and Shaylee Mora, opened an auto detailing business in Layton 15 years ago.
She enjoyed running a family business and it inspired her to start a photography business as well. Meanwhile, Tony Mora began popping old-fashioned kettle corn for friends and family in December 2011, after they moved on from the detailing business.
The popcorn was a hit, and they soon created recipes for 13 flavors. Tony Mora planned to start selling his popcorn at events, but instead the family decided to open a shop on Historic 25th Street in Ogden.
"We like the vibe in Ogden and wanted to be a part of this community," Bridget Mora said. She has made many friends since they opened the doors to Sweet Pop'n Cafe in April.
In just two months, the popcorn selection has grown from 13 flavors to 42 -- including caramel, watermelon, sassy apple, strawberry, nacho cheese and chili lime ($3/small, $5/medium, $7/large).
Many of their flavors, such as "cheeseburger," are the product of customer suggestions. Bridget Mora said she is currently working on recipes for beer-flavored popcorn and old-fashioned pink popcorn.
"I always ask my customers to challenge me," she said.
Their traditional kettle corn is still the biggest seller, and it comes in an extra-large bag ($5). They recently introduced soft caramel popcorn ($3 for 24 ounces). In addition to candied and seasoned popcorns, they also sell gourmet popcorn ($10) with different flavors, different coatings and more than 25 mix-ins to choose from.
Mix-ins include popular candies, nuts, crushed cookies and Fruity Pebbles. The coatings are made from melted dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate, mint chocolate, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips and yogurt chips. In addition, they carry 120 flavorings to add to the coatings, such as black licorice, mango, tropical punch, buttered rum, eggnog, pumpkin and gingerbread.
As business has grown, the Moras have expanded to catering, setting up popcorn bars at weddings and filling orders for special events. For example, they make popcorn in school colors for graduations, or black for over-the-hill parties.
SWEET POP'N CAFE
- ADDRESS: 155 Historic 25th St., Ogden
- HOURS: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- PHONE: 801-603-8505