Tinley Gourmet Popcorn Shop To Close, Owners Grateful With No Regrets

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tracy and Dave Smith gave it all they've got, but just short of two years in, they were faced with a decision they hoped would not come—or at least not so soon.

The husband-wife duo of Popus Gourmet Popcorn in downtown Tinley Park announced Sunday they will close their shop, citing sales struggles and location woes.

The small business moved into space in The Boulevard, a large mixed-use building on South Street. Popus was the sole retail tenant in the building, situated directly across from the Oak Park Avenue Metra Station.

"We learned that you cannot survive on a South Street as the only business," Smith said in an announcement, "and we really hope to see another business bloom in the build out that we paid for."

It was Frankfort residents Tracy and Dave Smith's first attempt at small business ownership, and Tracy said they learned some tough lessons along the way. It was all personal for her, a mother of four injected her own vision into everything at Popus. From the 50 flavors, to daily specials and playing a part in local events—Smith had a hand in all things popping up at the shop.

"I’ve always wanted to have something to call my own," Smith told Patch in an interview about the shop's first anniversary. "There isn’t really many people out there who don’t love popcorn. The fact that we could get creative with the flavors and the things we do, it sealed the deal for us.

"There’s just so much creativity in this place."

It was a labor of love that took every ounce of her creativity, ingenuity, and marketing attempts. She took often to social media, featuring specials on a regular basis and promoting them. Still, her efforts fell short.

"We learned that the team that works for this Village tried everything they could to keep us here, and if we were going to stay open anywhere it would be here," Smith wrote on the shop's social media. "But the most important thing we learned is it is SO HARD to succeed at small business! It is a 24/7 job, many people want your prices to be lower, they want your hours more flexible, and they are pretty sure you only care about the money.

"Trust me, small business owners are in it for their passion, if they weren’t they would not and could not survive."

Tracy and Dave funded the build-out of the space, she said, pouring nearly $100,000 to outfit it with necessary equipment. New flavors were created constantly, Smith said, estimating 50 or more were made at the store.

"I’ve never met people with more passion that people who own small businesses," Smith told Patch. "Those people are not there to get rich, they’re there because they’ve found a passion for something, and they want to share that passion with everyone around them."

As a small, independently owned business making its debut in Tinley Park, Smith said she had no idea how essential the town's support would be in the shop's early days. Even as they prepare to close, she has a deep appreciation for the town, and the shop's customers.

"I've cried many, many tears over it. It’s very sad for me, I’m going to miss it," Tracy Smith said. "The community was amazing, we loved doing the little things. ... I’m very sad that I’m leaving, but I’m hoping that something else comes there. … If anybody goes there, it would be wonderful, because at least it would be used."

Smith prided herself on employing local teenagers and teaching them the essentials of being on the job.

"I feel like we were able to educate and train a lot of teenagers on how to work, how to work a register," Tracy Smith said. "The most amazing thing with the kids we trained, was watching them go from someone who only knew how to look down at a phone, to someone who would actually make eye contact with customers."

She watched them grow in real-time, Smith said, with many even chatting about what they'd learned from customers just through conversation.

"That was a super-rewarding experience," Smith said.

In the end, Smith said, she wished she'd had more experience running a small business—and was able to say "no" more often.

"Personally, I wish I would have been better educated in owning a small business, but I have no regrets," Smith shared on social media.

Popus was a regular in town events such as Brew & Vine, Caribbean Block Party, and even as quick-grab snacks at EVEN Hotel and the Tinley Convention Center. She also partnered with Mokena-based seasonings vendor Scooter Snax, using their homemade taco mix to make a taco-seasoned popcorn that they could barely keep on the shelves. The mix created a swell of business for both companies, she said.

"It’s so nice when you can collaborate and help someone else," Smith said. "There’s just so much opportunity to do that in Tinley Park."

It was that network of support in the downtown businesses and those along Oak Park Avenue that so inspired Smith to take a chance on the space. But occasional surges in sales couldn't steady their ship, she said, and a cripplingly cold January saw a drop in already slow foot traffic, Smith said. They delayed announcing the decision, but knew this weekend that it was time.

"I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support, the chances they took on us, and the fundraising," Smith said. "It was way more fun than it wasn’t."

Smith said the experience has heightened her awareness of the importance of supporting small businesses. She is deeply thankful of her family's commitment to supporting hers.

"My family was just amazing through this whole thing with me—my kids and grandkids came in to work, they gave up their own time to make my dream come true," Smith said.

Smith said she looks forward to spending more time with family as she and Dave figure out teir next steps. A tentative closing date has been set for March 15, or until inventory lasts. They'll have sales until then, and Smith encourages fans to check the Facebook page for the latest information.

"I just want to thank everyone for trusting in us," Smith said. "It was fun. It’s sad, but I know it’s the right thing. The universe sends you where you need to be.

"I just think there’s a new plan for us, I just don’t know what it is yet. I’m sure we’re going to figure it out soon."

Smith said she still looks forward to spending time in downtown Tinley Park as a shopper and customer, but the loss still stings.

"It’s like letting go of something, it’s just hard," Smith said.

"I don’t think I’ll ever walk past a small business again without going in and buying something."