Lockport-based Chenez’s Popcorn is in growth mode again. The husband-and-wife business owners, Todd and Karla Chenez, plan to open a third location in Kenmore while revamping their headquarters at Lockview Plaza as a distribution center for all of their stores and online orders.
To accommodate distribution, Chenez’s Popcorn will rent another 2,800 square feet underneath their street-level shop on Main Street.
What started out more or less as a hobby for the Chenez family has become a booming small business in less than 10 years.
In the summer of 2016, Karla was working at M&T Bank, and Todd was a detective with Lockport Police Department, when they started making batches of gourmet popcorn in their basement to sell at festivals, local markets and in support of school and youth sports fundraising efforts.
For every great flavor they concocted, Karla recalls, there were other flavors that “were not very good.” Even so, business picked up enough that the operation outgrew their basement.
The couple established their first brick-and-mortar location at Lockview Plaza in mid 2020, shortly after Todd Chenez retired from LPD.
A year later, they opened a second location in Olcott.
Not everything was perfect, though. At the same time Chenez’s Popcorn was enjoying success, Todd said he was grappling with both grief — his mom, Sheila, died in November 2020, and his dad, Roger, died the following September — and disturbing memories of his time serving as a police officer. He started working with OpOverwatch, a law enforcement trauma resiliency ministry, and said he found peace in the Christian faith.
Since then, things have been looking up for the Chenezes. Their old co-workers are now their beta-taste testers and they’re meeting people from all over, including Erie County, which is why they decided to expand into Kenmore.
Todd said he and his family are blessed. People who come into his shops are not just customers, they’re friends.
“We want the people who come in here to have a unique experience and that’s led to some great friendships,” he said.
Even some previously unknown relatives have become known through the business, Karla added.
So, about the popcorn: The makers say the top five flavors to try are caramel, dill pickle, peanut butter cup (Todd’s favorite), Buffalo cheddar (Karla’s favorite) and chocolate covered cherry.
Chenez’s Popcorn also carries “odd” treats including unique candies.
“If you’re into candy flavored lip gloss for mermaids, you’ve found the right place,” Todd said.