Popcorn Palace

What it does: Produces 27 flavors of gourmet popcorn and custom mail-order tins.

Why it's growing: Gift recipients often become buyers theselves; 90 percent retention rate for corporate accounts.

What's noteworthy: Original Popcorn Palace (an Inc. 500 honoree in 1988) went bankrupt; Heitmann bought the company's customer list and name but increased prices and switched emphasis to mail order and corporate gifts instead of retail stores.