Small Business Saturday: Chenez's Gourmet Popcorn is popping full of flavor & heart

By Michelle Blackley Glynn

What started in the Chenez family basement has become a cornerstone business in Lockport.

Chenez’s Gourmet Popcorn, at 21 E. Main St., is thriving – and with a purpose. For six years, Karla and Todd Chenez have been honing in on their craft of perfecting 40 different flavors, and building a community of customers (who have really become like family).

“Residents and visitors to the area come in not just to sample and purchase popcorn, but for the experience,” Todd said. “One of us is always here.” 

While many who shop at Chenez’s stop in because they are touring the adjacent, historic Erie Canal, some may just be sitting on their porch in the City of Lockport, and smell the buttery aroma of freshly popped kernels coming from the gourmet popcorn facility. They are instantly drawn into the shop for a sample and a purchase.

Todd and Karla Chenez at their Chenez’s Gourmet Popcorn shop in Lockport.

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The quaint storefront not only presents endless, colorful rows of freshly popped popcorn, but vintage popcorn poppers are on display – and a Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker is for sale. The walls are lined with nostalgic, small trinkets and specialty candy, and even old-fashioned sodas. 

All of the popping and flavor coating takes place downstairs at the shop, while drizzling happens upstairs. 

One 8-year-old taste-tester said to his mother, “Your popcorn is the best, but this is better.”

Nephew Jack Chenez helps Todd and Karla Chenez bag popcorn at their store in Lockport. 

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Both born and raised in Lockport, Karla is a former banker. Todd is a former City of Lockport police officer. They were already immersed into the community prior to starting Chenez’s Gourmet Popcorn. Now, they are helping the local schools, dance studios, sports teams and nonprofits with their goals – in a tasty way. Their expertly made popcorn has been the focal point for multiple fundraisers, making up to 50% in sales for a group. 

The upcoming Small Business Saturday may signal the start of Chenez’s busiest season – second only to summer – but they are really focusing on growing their business philanthropically while helping the community.

“When you can give back, that’s what community is,” Karla said. “They support us, and in turn, helping with groups’ fundraisers is a focus of ours.”

The Chenezs will even create a micro-website on chenezspopcorn.com to help with selling efforts.

This holiday season, the Chenezs will have a condensed pack of popcorn, featuring their top flavors of the year. That includes the newest offering, Brewed Awakening. It boasts chocolate-covered popcorn with a caramel base, flavored with coffee from the local New Day Coffee Roasters.

The other top-sellers are:

√ Peanut butter cup

√ Caramel cashew

√ Dill pickle

√ Buffalo cheddar (with Frank’s Redhot)

√ Caramel

“We strive to make our flavors seasonal, superior and consistent,” Todd said. “There’s nothing like this, and it’s because we listen to our customers.”

Chenez’s Gourmet Popcorn is an affordable gift – and one for all occasions – with customized corporate gifts available for 10 to 1,000 people. Imagine a flavorful popcorn bar at a private event!

The shop also offers favors for wedding or showers, as well as items suitable for teacher gifts, birthdays, retirement, stocking stuffers and hostess gifts.

The Chenezs have a second, seasonal location at Lakeview Village Shoppes, 5955 Ontario St., Olcott. For more information, visit chenezspopcorn.com.