Legacy of ‘Popcorn Man’
A person in Albert Lea who could help to emphasize January as being the polio awareness month several decades ago was Merrill M. Nelson who became known as the “Popcorn Man.”
When he died on Sept. 21, 1983, his Tribune obituary said, “In 1948 he was stricken with polio and had been confined to a wheelchair since.”
Yet, despite this challenge, Nelson continued to farm in the Geneva and Clarks Grove area until 1955, was employed by Queen Products in 1956-57, and operated Merrill’s Popcorn from 1958 to 1983. In 1960 he moved one block north into a small portion of the building which is still identified with the Unique sign at the corner of North Broadway Avenue and West Clark Street. In fact, his small niche in this building which still serves as one of the reminders of his business had the address of 102 W. Clark St., according to the city directories of that era. There was just enough room in this niche for the popcorn popper, a refrigerator, several shelves and space for his wheelchair. For years he sold popcorn, caramel corn based on a special recipe, and soft drinks. The customers were business people, shoppers and people visiting the city who had become aware of this unique business at the Unique corner. And many of his regular customers were Albert Lea High School students who came to his small popcorn stand at noontime, after school and at other times. (The city’s high school was then located about three blocks to the west,)
In time, the Clark Street site was closed and several members of the Nelson family converted operations to what could be called the popcorn wagon to continue the business. Thus, the second legacy of the Popcorn Man could be moved to places where people congregated for various events. Though the years these events have included the Freeborn County Fair and the July 3 and 4 activities based on North Broadway Avenue and Fountain Lake Park. For the rest of the year Merrill’s Popcorn has been based at several city locations. In the past these sites have included Main Street where the Walgreen store is now located, the parking lot at Northbridge Mall, and now in front of Jensen Electric, further to the east on Main Street. During the years since 1983 this distinctive local business with its strong emphasis on popcorn has been operated by Merrill’s wife, Vivian; his daughter, Kathy Johnson; and now by his granddaughter, Sue Mickelson of Clarks Grove. The posted hours for this popcorn place are Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the important notation based on “weather permitting.”
