At Neighborly, we love sharing the stories behind local businesses that make Rochester and the surrounding area special. In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to highlight multiple neighbors who are making an impact in our community. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of connecting with Joe Phillips, owner of Jersey Jo’s, Charles Lovejoy, owner of Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mixes, and now D’Angelo Tines, Director of Business Development and Operations at Popus Gourmet Popcorn.
We connected with D’Angelo to learn more about his journey, the family business, and how he’s bringing incredible flavors—and meaningful community impact—to his hometown. From growing up in Rochester to taking on large-scale projects and giving back through fundraisers, D’Angelo’s story should be an inspiration to many.
Read the full Q and A session below to know more about D’Angelo….
Neighborly: How did you get started with the family business? Did you start in Joliet, IL, and move to Rochester? How did this all begin and can you share your journey?
D’Angelo Tines: Popus Gourmet Popcorn was founded in 2015 by my cousin, Walter Dean, and his wife, Leanne Dean. They currently operate two stores in Illinois. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, I approached my cousin about opening a store in Rochester. Being born and raised in Rochester and a graduate of John Marshall, I wanted to bring the family business to my hometown.
Neighborly: Who is involved in the Popus Family business and what do you find most rewarding about working with them each day?
D’Angelo Tines: For the Rochester location, my parents Jenny and David Tines are the other Co-owners. My mom has been a social worker in Rochester for over 30 years and continues to work in the school district while co-owning Popus. My dad has been a software developer at Mayo Clinic for over 30 years and still works there today. I love working with my parents because they are some of the smartest people I know. Running a business comes with constant problem-solving, and I enjoy tackling challenges together as a family.
Neighborly: What is your specific role with Popus and what aspect of the business gets you excited each day?
D’Angelo Tines: I focus on day-to-day operations. What excites me most is the impact we have on the community. We regularly donate popcorn to great causes, host fundraisers for local churches, nonprofits, and youth sports teams, and provide popcorn donations to local homeless shelters. Giving back and seeing the positive effect on the community is what drives me.
Last year, my dad and I attended a John Marshall boys’ basketball game, where a youth John Marshall girls’ team was also in attendance. Some of the parents approached us to thank us for fundraising with them, as the money raised helped them purchase new warm-up gear and basketballs. Moments like that motivate me to keep going.
Neighborly: Looking back at last year, what was one of the most exciting opportunities you had and how did it impact you and your business?
D’Angelo Tines: Mayo Clinic approached us in July 2024 with an order for 30,000 custom bags of popcorn. They wanted to ensure we could handle the order, especially since it was due in December—our busiest time of the year. We worked closely with their team to design exclusive packaging for the order, and it meant the world to us that they trusted us with such a large project.
This opportunity also introduced us to new connections. Of the 30,000 bags, 18,000 stayed in Rochester, 6,000 were shipped to Arizona, and another 6,000 went to Florida. We managed everything from popping and packing to logistics. This experience taught us that, even as a small business with just six employees, we can successfully take on large-scale orders. We’re incredibly grateful to Mayo Clinic for supporting local businesses and making a real difference in the community.
Neighborly: What challenges do you face and how do you battle through them? What is a challenge that you are trying to overcome now?
D’Angelo Tines: Running a brick-and-mortar small business comes with its share of challenges—things are always breaking. Whether it’s a popcorn machine that needs repairs or a customer accidentally damaging one of our slushy machines, there’s always something unexpected to deal with. The key is staying adaptable and problem-solving quickly to keep operations running smoothly.
Neighborly: What have you learned over the years while producing and selling Popus Gourmet Popcorn?
D’Angelo Tines: Over the years, I’ve learned that consistency is key in every aspect of running Popus Gourmet Popcorn. Customers return because they know they’ll get the same high-quality flavors, fresh popcorn, and great service every time. Maintaining that consistency requires attention to detail, from sourcing ingredients to ensuring every bag meets our standards. It’s not just about the product—it’s about creating an experience that keeps people coming back.
Equally important is customer experience. We don’t just sell popcorn; we build relationships. Whether it’s greeting customers by name, customizing orders, or giving back through fundraisers, we strive to make every interaction meaningful. I’ve learned that people appreciate businesses that genuinely care. Small touches, like remembering a regular’s favorite flavor or donating popcorn to a local event, make a big impact.
At the end of the day, what drives me is knowing that we’re not just selling snacks—we’re creating moments of joy. Whether it’s a family stopping in for a treat, a school raising money, or a major order like our Mayo Clinic partnership, every experience matters. That’s why we focus on doing things the right way, every time.
Neighborly: What does being a black-owned business owner mean to you?
D’Angelo Tines: Being a Black-owned business owner means breaking barriers and creating opportunities. Downtown Rochester doesn’t have many Black-owned brick-and-mortar businesses, so I take pride in representing our community in this space. It’s our responsibility to inspire others, support local initiatives, and show that with hard work and dedication, we can build something lasting and impactful.
Neighborly: What advice would you give to another aspiring black entrepreneur?
D’Angelo Tines: My advice to an aspiring Black entrepreneur is to stay persistent, build strong relationships, and embrace the challenges. The road isn’t always easy, but don’t let obstacles discourage you. Leverage your community—connect with other business owners, seek mentorship, and surround yourself with people who support your vision. Be intentional about your brand and customer experience, because word-of-mouth and trust are everything. Most importantly, believe in yourself and take that first step—you don’t need all the answers to get started, but you do need the courage to begin.
Neighborly: What is your favorite popcorn flavor, and why?
D’Angelo Tines: My favorite popcorn flavor is cheesy caramel—the perfect mix of sweet and savory. It’s our caramel popcorn tumbled in cheese, and it just hits the spot every time.
Neighborly: Do you have any exciting plans for the future? Or what are you most looking forward to this year?
D’Angelo Tines: We’re launching a brand-new website this spring with exciting new features and updates. I’m looking forward to making online ordering easier and improving the overall customer experience!
Neighborly: Earlier in the month, we featured another neighbor or ours, Charles with Lovejoy’s. Was there ever a collaboration between your businesses, and what can you share? Maybe a new flavor combination?
D’Angelo Tines: Charles was great to work with! We collaborated on three unique popcorn flavors that pair perfectly with his Bloody Mary Mix. One as a Pho Seasoning and another using the Rimmer Seasoning. We’re hoping to continue working together and bring our popcorn and his amazing mixes to more local events in the future. Unfortunately, we did not get a picture since we ate it all but a good sign it tasted amazing together.
D’Angelo said earlier in the Q&A session that Popus Gourmet Popcorn is not just selling snacks—they are creating moments of joy. D’Angelo and his team continue to make an impact through partnerships, fundraisers, and local collaborations, all while serving up some of the best popcorn in town. It’s especially heartwarming to see two of our neighbors, Popus Gourmet Popcorn and Lovejoy’s Bloody Mary Mixes—both part of the Neighborly Gifts program—come together in collaboration. We are so proud to support them through their successes, make those introductions, and find even more opportunities like this.
Be sure to stop by, grab a bag of your favorite flavor, (potentially D’Angelo’s favorite, cheesy caramel), and support this local gem.
You can support Popus Gourmet Popcorn by going to the website PopusGourmetPopcorn.com or following on social media. (Facebook or Instagram)
