Inspired by ‘The Bachelor,’ this Fort Wayne entrepreneur is creating pandemic-friendly ‘popnics’

If you’ve ever watched ABC’s “The Bachelor,” then Fort Wayne Popnic will instantly remind you of this hit reality TV show. It was, in fact, the lavish and romantic one-on-one dates from “The Bachelor” that inspired the Founder of Fort Wayne Popnic, Amber Reid. 

“I love watching ‘The Bachelor’ for those dates nights,” Reid says. “Everybody wants to feel like they are that special, like they could go on a date night like that. So each of my popnics are kind of designed with that element in mind.”

Since launching Fort Wayne Popnic, Reid has designed three packages for customers to choose from.

Fort Wayne Popnic launched in mid-January and is exactly what it sounds like: Pop-up picnics in heated tents, taking place in Lawton and Lakeside Park, with requests for backyard popnics available, as well.

In addition to finding inspiration for Fort Wayne Popnic from “The Bachelor,” Reid, a Fort Wayne native, says the idea also came to her during her travels. She works full-time as photographer, primarily shooting influencers, stylized events, and weddings. Her work has taken her to places, varying from New York to California, and it was a trip to Denver, Colorado, in particular, that sparked the idea for Fort Wayne Popnic.

“One of the most unique things I saw when I was in Denver was there was a company that was doing stylized picnics,” Reid says. “So I contacted them, and I looked at their stuff, and I liked it, but I knew that I couldn’t logistically bring it to Fort Wayne because we get such cold winters.”

As a part of her Valentine's Special, Reid is offering each couple a 10-minute photo session, including five digital images they can take home with them.

After playing around with a few ideas, Reid figured out how to create a heated picnic tent experience in Fort Wayne, allowing her to offer popnics year-round in the Midwest, regardless of the weather.

Since launching Fort Wayne Popnic, Reid has designed three packages for customers to choose from. First is a “Popnic for Two,” including an hour in a heated tent with a decorated table, table setting essentials for a picnic, and a Bluetooth speaker for guests to play their choice of music.

The next package, titled “Groupies,” includes a popnic in a heated tent for three to six people with all of the décor and services of the “Popnic for Two.”

A "Groupies" package includes a popnic in a heated tent for three to six people with all of the décor and services of the “Popnic for Two.”

However, Reid’s “crème de la crème” for the moment is the Valentine’s Special she’s designed. For an hour and a half, this date night for two includes the perks of the other packages, plus a floral arrangement by Gypsy Blue flowers, a heart-shaped box with 14 pieces of Fort Wayne’s famous DeBrand Fine Chocolates, a charcuterie board, plus delivery, pick up, and clean up of an entrée from a list of local restaurants.

Reid’s Valentine’s Special is a date night for two with perks like a floral arrangement by Gypsy Blue flowers.

To set the experience over the top, Reid is putting her professional photography skills to use, offering each couple a 10-minute photo session, including five digital images they can take home with them.

While having only launched weeks ago, Fort Wayne Popnic quickly captured the attention of audiences near and far. Reid says she already has inquiries for popnics in Indianapolis and Michigan. She’s purchased additional tents due to the volume of requests for Popnics locally, too.

A "Groupies" package includes a popnic in a heated tent for three to six people with all of the décor and services of the “Popnic for Two.”

Overall, Reid feels optimistic that there’s nowhere to go but up from here with Fort Wayne Popnic, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. With the climate-controlled abilities of her tents, she looks forward to styling tents differently for each season and bringing people together all year long, giving customers something fun and socially distant they can enjoy.

“I think everyone’s always looking for a fun way to do something new, and this opens up that revolving door of different experiences,” Reid says.

Learn more

Fort Wayne Popnic is accepting reservations for Popnics for Two, Groupies, and Valentine’s Specials. Visit their website, or follow them on Instagram at @fwpopnic for more information.