Chicago Tradition

“NUTS ON CLARK” was founded at 3830 North Clark Street, Chicago in 1979 by Herbert Kenney, a Real Estate broker. His artist wife, Estelle created the logo and store design. He purchased the warehouse building to be their dwelling, with a portion to be Estelle’s art studio to create paintings & sculpture. Herbert reserved the store front spaces for his dream to open a nut business. One morning at 6 am, shortly after they settled in the building on Clark Street in Wrigleyville Chicago, Herb asked Estelle to think of a name for his planned nut business. Estelle answered, “NUTS ON CLARK” and Herb said, “make a brochure” She immediately drew her image of the logo, “NUTS ON CLARK “& wrote the brochure to announce the opening. Since “NUTS ON CLARK” opened in 1979, she has created all product packaging, displays & signage.

The Kenneys developed “NUTS ON CLARK” to be known as the Chicago Icon, for our fabulous Caramelcorn, Cheesecorn, Popcorn flavors produced fresh on Clark street or at each of our locations. Their son Robert, Director of Sales and day to day operations, insisted that the unique Caramelcorn recipe of Estelle’s mother, was a perfect fit with our other famous handcrafted “NUTS ON CLARK” Inventory. Their daughter Carla as the Managing Director presides over Research & Development, and has expertly organized the “NUTS ON CLARK” nationwide mail order business featuring freshly made to order, now Famous, Caramelcorn & Real Cheesecorn and other flavored Popcorn. She oversees the gift ensembles of gourmet popcorn, nuts, and chocolate covered nuts. Only the most, wholesome ingredients are used for each recipe that we create using research along with a lot of tasting to get it perfect. The Kenney Family work ethic for quality is reflected at all locations and within all products. As the family and business grows, Grandson Zachary and Granddaughter Carly have inherited the Kenney work ethic and love of excellence while working at “NUTS ON CLARK”.

After successfully selling nuts, popcorn, and chocolates at Union Station, we then made headway to attract the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) at O’Hare and Midway Airports. After many years, CDA and Concessions offered “Nuts on Clark” a location at Midway Airport during their redevelopment. O’Hare Concessions realized that “Nuts on Clark” would be a great addition to O’Hare concessions moving forward as well. With our ACDBE owner, Estelle Kenney, we were awarded two locations in Terminals 1 and 2. After proving our success, we were offered Terminal 3 and then opened the national award winning store at Terminal 5. We are proud sponsors and have been partners with the Chicago Bears for over 11 years and now partners with the Northwestern University Wild Cats.