Ooey Gooey Fun in Collingswood, NJ

edited by Nan Frient

April is National Grilled Cheese Month and The Pop Shop in Collingswood, NJ, invites you to come and celebrate! The classic sandwich will be fêted during a month long celebration of all things grilled cheese at The Pop Shop.

Why grilled cheese? In a recent survey the grilled cheese sandwich has been rated among the top ten comfort foods. Hearty and wholesome, grilled cheese soothes the soul by reminding us of comforting childhood memories and invokes feelings of nostalgia, safety and warmth. The Pop Shop offers more than 30 versions of the classic grilled cheese sandwich and has festivities planned to honor this iconic entrée.

The Pop Shop’s National Grilled Cheese Month events include:

A Cheesy Poetry Contest
Along with being National Grilled Cheese Month, April is also National Poetry Month. The Pop Shop loves both, so they're hosting their third annual Pop Shop Poetry Contest. They're looking for poems, limericks or haikus about something Pop Shop-related. The winning bards - one child and one adult - will receive a free T-shirt and a gift certificate for a free lunch. To enter, e-mail thepopshopcafe@aol.com or mail entries to The Pop Shop Contest, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108. The deadline is April 24, 2008. Winners will be named on Thursday, May 1, 2008. Winner does not need to be present to win.

A Grilled Cheese King and Queen will be Crowned
The Pop Shop will name a Grilled Cheese King and Queen to help celebrate National Grilled Cheese month. The king and queen will each receive a year's worth of grilled cheese sandwiches, their pictures forever posted on The Pop Shop's web site and bragging rights. Jim Maley, Collingwood's mayor, will crown the new king and queen at a ceremony at The Pop Shop. To nominate yourself or a friend, send an e-mail to thepopshopcafe@aol.com. Tell why this person deserves to be the 2008 king or queen. A photo maybe included, if you like. The deadline is April 24, 2008. The winners will be crowned on Thursday, May 1, 2008 and must be present to win.

A Month of Sandwiches
During National Grilled Cheese Month, The Pop Shop will feature a "Grilled Cheese of the Day" platter. The platters, which will be accompanied by a Pop fries and a beverage, will feature some new sandwiches as well as "retired" Pop Shop favorites.

A Grilled Cheese Throwdown
Also on the menu will be "The 5 B's" grilled cheese which was created by Bobby Flay. In January, Chef Flay challenged The Pop Shop owners Stink and Connie Fisher to a grilled cheese competition for the show "Throwdown with Bobby Flay." The show will air in April. Flay's take on the classic grilled cheese will be available throughout the month of April.

The Pop Shop is located at 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108. You can reach The Pop Shop online at www.thepopshopusa.com or by phone at (856) 869-0111.