Attention popcorn lovers! If you have been wishing for a gourmet specialty popcorn shop located in Homewood, your dreams have come true. Pop’s Popcorn Shop has opened at 18035 Dixie Highway offering unique popcorn flavors.
recently opened Pop’s Popcorn
shop on Dixie Highway in
Homewood. (Sharon Filkins/
H-F Chronicle)
Owners Ken and Lorraine Jones began Pop’s as a home-based business about a year and a half ago. Both were working full time: Ken worked at Pepboys as an automotive technician and then as a service writer for the company, and Lorraine is pursuing her graduate degree in child development.
In addition to their busy schedules, they began to explore the possibility of establishing an investment together.
“I thought of many different avenues, but nothing was really grabbing my interest,” Ken said.
The name of the store became Pop’s Popcorn Store, partly because of how the thought of the business came to him.
But also because Ken has always been affectionately called “Pops” by his family, co-workers and friends. Lorraine shares that Ken, a soft-spoken man with a great smile, has always been a friend and mentor to co-workers, acquaintances, friends and anyone who wanted advice or comfort.
Once Ken had the plan, he began extensive research to find out everything he could about gourmet popcorn and began experimenting with it.
“I popped corn every night and tried different flavors. Lorraine began taking it to work and giving it to her friends. Suddenly they began putting in orders and the business started growing. We knew we needed to find a location.”
They began looking in Homewood, a community they both loved.
“We began visiting with various business people in downtown Homewood and asking questions. We discovered how friendly everyone was and we knew this was where we wanted to be. Fortunately, we learned this location (formerly LJW Realty) was going to be available. We spoke to the owner and the village about it and they were very welcoming to our project, so here we are.”
Lorraine said she loves the small-town atmosphere of Homewood.
“Everyone is so friendly and it is family-oriented. I am elated to be a part of this great business community,” she said.
As for future plans for the shop, they will be featuring flavors of the month popcorn and adding unique specialized flavors, along with tea, coffee and soda.
“Our customers will be part of our growth process here,” Lorraine said. “We want to provide what our customers want.”
Hours of the store are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The closing time for Saturday is yet to be determined. The shop will be closed on Sundays.