Glasgow West End mum opens family-run gourmet popcorn shop

Glasgow is set to welcome its first dedicated gourmet popcorn shop this week, as local West End mum Maya Brown opens POP on Great Western Road on Friday, 11 September.

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A Glasgow mum who began experimenting with popcorn flavours at home with her two daughters is opening a specialist shop on Great Western Road.

POP will open at number 713 on Friday 11 September, serving freshly made sweet and savoury popcorn alongside Italian-style soft serve, speciality matcha and coffee.

Founder Maya Brown has imported specialist machinery from America to make small batches throughout the day, with the popcorn flavoured, coated and hand-drizzled in store.

The changing menu will range from caramel corn and chocolate creations to mature cheddar, truffle and protein popcorn.

POP is a new independent, family-run gourmet popcorn shop
POP

The independent family business grew out of time spent trying different flavour combinations around the kitchen table at their home in Glasgow’s West End.

Maya said: “POP really started at home with me and my girls. We absolutely love popcorn and were always experimenting with different flavours and making our own creations together. It became a bit of a family obsession and, over time, I started thinking there was a real opportunity to do something with it.”

She took inspiration from specialist popcorn businesses in America and elsewhere in the UK, including London’s family-run Joe & Seph’s, before developing her own concept for the neighbourhood.

“I wanted to take something everyone knows and loves and make it feel really special, using great ingredients, making it fresh every day and having fun with flavours people might not normally associate with popcorn,” she said.

“It was important to me that we did it properly, so we’ve brought specialist machinery over from America and we’ll be popping fresh batches throughout the day, then flavouring, drizzling and finishing everything here in the shop.”

The Great Western Road premises feature a pastel frontage and hand-painted cabinetry, with an interior inspired by traditional confectioners.

Maya’s daughters have remained involved as the idea has developed into a business.

She said: “I’m a West End mum, my girls are growing up here and this is the neighbourhood we know and love, so Great Western Road always felt like the right home for POP.

“It’s very much a family business and the girls have been part of it from the beginning. I want POP to become somewhere people locally really love coming into, whether that’s with the kids after school, for a matcha or coffee with a friend, or to pick up a beautiful box of popcorn to take home.”

A keen home baker, Maya also plans to introduce homemade scones and other baked treats as the business develops.

Longer-term plans include popcorn gift collections for celebrations, corporate gifts and special occasions, alongside new flavours and collaborations.

POP opens at 4pm on Friday 11 September at 713 Great Western Road, Glasgow.