fbpx

Imagine the Possibilities

Photos by Eduardo Schneider

runner and a self-described “health nut,” Howard Mintz avoids junk food. When he does indulge, only one snack will do: popcorn.

“I like popcorn, but he loves popcorn,” his wife, Lisa, says of Howard’s passion. “I enjoy it, but I don’t go crazy over it. He has the palate. He knows freshness.”

Being conscious of calories doesn’t mean the Mintzes eat packaged low-calorie popcorn. Together, the Coconut Creek couple, who have been married for 33 years, run Popcorn Possibilities (Lisa is the owner; Howard is a partner), making and selling gourmet popcorn in flavors such as caramel, chocolate, and a fusion of caramel and cheese—flavors Howard cooks up with meticulous detail.

“To get our caramel recipe correct, we had a family dinner and had 25 people come over,” he says. “We made 12 different batches of caramel, 12 different ways, and had everybody vote on it. The majority won, and I’ve used the caramel ever since.”

Their passion started in 2010 when they established the business while living in Cleveland. They learned the ins and outs of the popcorn industry during a visit to the headquarters of Gold Medal Products, a supplier of concession equipment, supplies and snacks, including popcorn.

Lisa and Howard, who have a son and daughter in their 20s, had success selling their product at a local mall and farmers market, often rotating their stock of flavors. When they moved to Coconut Creek in 2011 (they previously had lived in Boca Raton from 1998 to 2008), work and other matters forced them to set the business aside.

But when Lisa read in 2017 that the city of Coconut Creek had started a farmers market, she saw it as a chance to revamp the company.

“I said to Howard, ‘We’ve been talking about this since we moved. Either we’re going to do it or we’re going to stop talking about it. This is an opportunity,’” Lisa says. “And we just did it.”

Popcorn Possibilities was officially revived in South Florida on Jan. 1 and was introduced to Creek residents that same month at the city’s farmers market. Since then, the Mintzes have sold their product at the Boca Raton farmers market, fed Creek residents at the city’s “Movies in the Park” events, become a staple at the Mizner Park Amphitheater Summer Concert Series and made custom orders for parties (a Power Rangers-themed party called for special bags designed by Lisa and colorful popcorn made by Howard).

In October, they returned to the Coconut Creek farmers market, where the Mintzes enjoy feeding Creek residents who support local vendors.

Along the way, they’ve cultivated some loyal customers.

“We had a little old lady who said, ‘I can only buy one bag a week,’ so I held it for her, and every Sunday she would show up with her dog at 9 o’clock and purchase it,” Howard says.

Adds Lisa: “I think it’s nice that the city’s behind [the farmers market] to make it successful; we want to do our part, too, to make sure that we’re here to support our city.”

While they enjoy a successful first year in business in South Florida—and a full season of the Creek farmers market for the rest of this year and into April of next year—they’re continuing to come up with new presentation ideas to satisfy customers.

Naturally, they’re also thinking about new flavors, such as amaretto and curry. (“I love everything but the cleanup,” Howard says.)

“It’s almost like painting on a canvas,” Lisa says. “Popcorn is the media. It’s not oil, it’s not watercolor, it’s popcorn. What can you do with it? You can do anything with it. Really, the possibilities are whatever you want them to be.”

Visit popcornpossibilities.com or call 754.212.4673.

 

Get Ready for the Farmers Market

When Mayor Joshua Rydell proposed a farmers market for Creek’s 50th anniversary year (2017), it was about more than just offering residents a place to buy fresh goods and handmade products. For Rydell, the market also is a way to engage the community.

Now, Rydell joins his Creek neighbors every other Sunday to buy produce and products from local vendors. Market manager Emily Lilly says that during the market’s second season, customers can expect more local vendors—about 40—including Florida’s Finest Raw Honey, Angel’s Philly Gourmet Italian Ice and Creek-based J’Can Candles, Sommer’s Cupcakes and Popcorn Possibilities. This season also will feature craft activities for children, music and special themed days.

• When: Every other Sunday, Nov. 11-Dec. 23 and Jan. 13-April 7. Themed dates include arts and crafts day, Mom’s Day, cookie day and more.

• Where: North parking lot at the Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Blvd.

• Info: coconutcreek.net/parks/farmers-market; 954.545.6682. To learn more about becoming a vendor, contact Lilly at 561.299.8684 or [email protected]

You May Also Like

John Knox Village Unveils New Dining and Hospitality Staff

John Knox Village of Florida, Inc. (JKV) in Pompano Beach recently announced key changes to its Dining and Hospitality Department. Tony Rieger has been appointed the Vice President of Campus Dining and Hospitality, and Fernando Plazas-Rico is the Director of Operation Support in Dining. Enrique Sanchez, “Chef Henry,” is the new Campus Executive Chef.  Rieger brings

Rooftop Restaurant Opens in Wynwood Jungle

Fabel Miami, a new open-air rooftop restaurant and lounge, recently opened at Wynwood Jungle, a dining and retail destination in Miami. The immersive restaurant, named to provide guests with a place to create their own enchanted fairytale, aims to redefine the hospitality industry. “Fabel is the pinnacle and final piece of our vision to transform

Sushi by Scratch Opens Permanent Miami Home

After a successful residency stint inside the Stirrup House in Coconut Grove, Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Miami recently opened an official presence at 3540 Main Highway in Coconut Grove. California-based Scratch Restaurants Group announced the permanent location owned by chef/restaurateurs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee. Sushi By Scratch Restaurants have earned Michelin stars in Montecito

Sunday Brunch Returns to The Deck at Island Gardens

To help commence 2023 in style, The Deck at Island Gardens, a waterfront restaurant in Miami, began offering its popular Sunday brunch buffet on Jan. 8. The restaurant’s revamped brunch experience features a variety of indulging stations which include omelets, grilled skewers, seasonal salads, hot dishes, passed pizzas, charcuterie, paella and more. The new Chilled from

Other Posts

Editor’s Letter: Happy Mother’s Day

There’s no stopping the fierce and empowering moms featured in the May issue of Lifestyle.

Lifestyle Q&A: Tess Rowland

The Weston native and former TV news reporter, now president of MADD, drops the microphone and shares her own devastating story in an effort to raise awareness and save lives.

5Q: Robin Ganzert 

“We provide a voice for the voiceless,”…not a day goes by where Robin Ganzert doesn’t wake up feeling blessed.

Reading the Room

Tara Bernerd oozes creativity as she speaks over Zoom from one of her home offices in Milan, Italy.