BizBeat: Popcorn Buddha closes permanently

Julie Smith/News Tribune
The Popcorn Buddha in Linn has announced it will be closing soon.
Julie Smith/News Tribune The Popcorn Buddha in Linn has announced it will be closing soon.

After moving back to Linn seven months ago, Popcorn Buddha is closing its doors permanently amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"As a small business with more love than money, we simply cannot sustain the losses caused by two recent evils that have impacted our ability to thrive," owners said in a post on Popcorn Buddha's Facebook page.

After Osage County implemented its stay-at-home order April 3 because of the coronavirus pandemic, Popcorn Buddha, at 1218 E. Main St., initially announced it would close its doors temporarily.

Due to financial hardships, though, the business will not reopen, according to the social media post.

Owners Craig Campeotto and Tanya DeMaria did not return requests for comment.

"For the last decade, Tanya and I have been blessed with a loyal following of Flavor-Enlightened friends that enabled our ability to follow a dream. We shall be ever grateful to you all for this experience," the Facebook post states.

Campeotto and DeMaria opened Popcorn Buddha in 2015 in Linn, bringing multiple popcorn flavors and fudge to the small town.

In 2016, they closed the Linn location to move to Pennsylvania, where the business headquarters was located.

Campeotto and DeMaria reopened Popcorn Buddha in Linn last September.

When the pair reopened the store, they were in the middle of a legal battle over their Buddha logo. The logos for Connecticut-based LesserEvil and Popcorn Buddha featured a Buddha image smiling and holding a bowl of popcorn.

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