BEATRICE - One of the most historic areas of Southeast Nebraska is downtown Beatrice and one of the most historic elements of downtown Beatrice sits on the corner of 5th/Court — the Traubel’s Popcorn stand.

The stand has been around since the 1930’s and Kathy Menck of Community Possibilities in Beatrice explained why the stand is so historic and how it’s still going strong today.

“I think it stands for the history in Beatrice because so many pope such as our parents, even my dad remembers go to the theatre, and he’d  come here to buy popcorn, at the stand”  Menck said. “Just about anybody who lives in the area knew about it.”

Traubel’s was originally owned by John and Stella Traubel and was in business from 1937-1987. The original stand sits in the Gage County Historical Society just up the road. In 2014, the non-profit community possibilities brought it back, building today’s replica stand.

“They had this stand built and we were able to continue with the name it’s the same name, and a lot of people come back into town and remember it so it’s kind of fun,” Menck said.

Trraubel’s has a number of different flavors of popcorn, with a portion of their profits going to groups in need. This year, Traubel’s is on the list of destinations for the 2022 Nebraska Passport, which Menck hopes brings in people from all over the state.

“There’s usually about 300 businesses or places in Nebraska that apply to be a stop, we’re the only one in Beatrice to have been selected,” Menck said. “It was really kind of fun to be selected.”