“Popcorn Charlie,” Downtown Jackson: 1939-1974

From 1939 to 1974, there was a red popcorn stand that was a fixture in downtown Jackson. It was owned by the man who was known as ‘Popcorn Charlie’

In 1913, Charlie Cleavinger arrived in Jackson from Kentucky. He immediately went to work at Hayes Wheel, making $2 a day. He later became employed by the Michigan Central Railroad, doing duty as a brakeman and switchman. During his tenure at the railroad, he decided to boost his income by making and selling candy. His mother made delicious taffy and other candies; it was her recipes that Charlie used for his candies. He started making candy in his kitchen and in the early 1920s was on the streets of downtown Jackson selling. His wife Minnie joined Charlie, and the two continued making candy in a shop behind their house at 811 S. Jackson Street.

With more and more time being spent selling, and less at the railroad, Charlie bought a stand and set it up on East Michigan Avenue. In 1939 he moved the stand to West Michigan Avenue across the road from West Intermediate School. It remained there for 35 years until 1974.

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After permanently quitting the railroad, they went full force, adding caramel corn, fudge, peanuts, and popcorn to their variety of candies.

Diabetes sidelined Charlie in 1956, he passed away in 1961, and Minnie continued with the stand until 1973.....that’s when some teenagers threw a brick through the stand window, shattering it, and slicing Minnie’s arm. She was more pissed off than scared and decided “This is it. If this is what I have to put up with, I’m through.”

Minnie sold the stand to the former president of Hayes-Albion, who donated it to the Ella Sharp Museum.

Minnie died in August 1976 at age 81.
The two are buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park.