What began as a father-and-son cottage food venture selling chocolates and candies at craft shows has grown into one of Portsmouth’s most beloved small businesses — Jet’s Gourmet Popcorn.
Owner Tim Angel said Jet’s started when he and his son began attending local events, offering homemade sweets for sale.
“People would come up to us and ask where they could buy our products other than at a special event,” Angel said. “We explained that we took special orders but didn’t have a shop open to the public.”
That changed when Angel took a professorship at Shawnee State University and decided it was time to open a storefront once he returned to Portsmouth. Jet’s Gourmet Popcorn has now been in business for seven years. What began as a candy and chocolate shop evolved when Angel realized that expanding the product variety would be key to success. “We felt that just a chocolate and candy shop would not survive in Portsmouth, so we added popcorn,” he said.
Like many small businesses, Jet’s has faced challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to managing rising costs and building a clientele.
“Our biggest challenges have been surviving through the pandemic, increased costs and getting the word out that we are so much more than just popcorn,” Angel said.
The shop’s signature product — Old Fashioned Caramel popcorn — remains its best-seller. Each batch is made by hand with high-quality ingredients, which Angel said sets Jet’s apart.
“Quality is key. Our popcorn is made in small batches, and much of the work is done by hand,” he said. “We take pride in the flavor and quality of the final product for the consumer to enjoy.”
Jet’s offers a variety of seasonal and limited-edition flavors throughout the year. Autumn favorites include Fall Harvest and Pumpkin Spice, while the holiday season brings the return of the popular Grinch popcorn. Experimentation plays a big role in the process.
“Many of the flavors and creations are just through experiment,” Angel said. “One of us will get an idea and we will give it a shot to see if it works.”
Jet’s also supports community organizations through fundraising programs with schools, churches, hospitals and civic groups.
“Giving back to your community as a business is extremely important because the community is what makes the business,” Angel said. “If it weren’t for the support of our community, we would not have survived.”
For Angel, the most rewarding part of running Jet’s is solely based on the customers. “The most rewarding part is seeing how well our customers enjoy our products and the freedom to be as creative as you want,” he said.
Looking ahead, Angel envisions growth while staying true to his Portsmouth roots.
“I think we will still be serving the Portsmouth community as we have for the last seven years,” he said. “But I hope to expand our production capability and possibly open additional retail locations.”
With new flavors always in development and a loyal local following, Jet’s Gourmet Popcorn continues to thrive in Portsmouth. With a continuous launch of new flavors and products, Jet’s ensures your first time in the shop won’t be your last. Jet’s Gourmet Popcorn is located at 1714 11th St. in Portsmouth. You can contact the shop at (740) 961-5387 for more information.
