Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Long.
Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Creativity has always been at the center of who I am. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved making things that bring people joy. As a teenager, I made hard candy for everyone at Christmas. Later it became cookies for family gatherings. Most recently, my sourdough bread has become a staple gift for friends and neighbors. Creating something with my hands and sharing it with others has always been my love language.
It was that same creative spark that led to the idea of Space City Gourmet Popcorn. Years ago, my husband and I realized that if we combined my love for crafting unique, from-scratch treats with his business sense, we could build something meaningful together. In 2016, we opened our first small business — Longview Greens Mini Golf — which quickly became a favorite in our hometown of Montgomery, Texas. Living in a lake community filled with families, tourists, and local charm, we’ve always looked for ways to bring something new and fun to the area. When we saw that Montgomery didn’t have anything quite like a gourmet popcorn shop, we knew we could fill that gap and add value to the community we love.
Space City Gourmet Popcorn was born from that shared vision.
Everything we make is handcrafted in small batches, using flavors inspired by the seasons, holidays, and the local Texas spirit. Developing new flavor ideas is one of my favorite parts of the business — it allows me to blend creativity with nostalgia, comfort, and a little bit of whimsy. Whether it’s Christmas Crack during the holidays, or the Texas Tumble Pop carried in SPEC’s stores in the Houston area, each recipe reflects something personal to me.
But what I may love most about this journey is the people. I’m naturally a people person, so interacting with customers at our shop and at local events is genuinely fulfilling. Over time, I’ve also become a mentor to our staff — many of whom lovingly refer to me as a second mom. Building a team, watching them grow, guiding them through challenges, and creating a supportive work family has been one of the greatest joys of this experience.
As we grow, our mission remains the same: to create handcrafted gourmet popcorn that brings people together — whether through gifting, gathering, celebrating, or simply enjoying a little everyday treat. I’m proud of what we’ve built so far, and even more excited for what’s ahead.
Space City Gourmet Popcorn is more than a business to us — it’s a blend of creativity, community, and connection. And we’re just getting started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, every small business faces challenges. Ours is simple: visibility. Even after a successful launch, many people in the area still don’t know we’re here. That’s why we focus heavily on community events, local engagement, and sharing our story. We’re proud of our website, which allows customers to order and ship our gourmet popcorn anywhere in the continental United States — but nothing replaces that moment when someone walks into our shop for the first time and says, “I had no idea this place existed!”
We’ve been impressed with Space City Gourmet Popcorn, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Space City Gourmet Popcorn is a small-batch, handcrafted gourmet popcorn company located in Montgomery, Texas. We specialize in creating unique, flavor-forward popcorn blends that are inspired by the seasons, holidays, and the local Texas community. Every batch is made by hand in our shop, allowing us to control quality, freshness, and creativity in a way that larger brands simply can’t replicate.
We’re known for our inventive flavors—from festive mixes like Christmas Crack and Peppermint Frost to everyday favorites like Texas Tumble Pop and Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño. Whether a flavor is bold, nostalgic, sweet, savory, or somewhere in between, our goal is always the same: make popcorn that surprises people and makes them smile.
What truly sets us apart is the heart behind our brand. We are a family-run, veteran-owned business that believes in giving our customers not just a product, but an experience. Our shop sits in a lake community that thrives on local connection, tourism, and small-business pride. We pour that same sense of community into every bag we make. We interact with our customers face-to-face, we know their favorite flavors, and we love being part of their holidays, celebrations, and traditions.
We’re also proud of the relationships we’ve built within our community and our growing retail footprint—especially the fact that a couple of our flavors are now carried in SPEC’s locations in the Houston area. That milestone represents so much for us: growth, recognition, and the opportunity for people outside Montgomery to discover our brand.
But beyond any single accomplishment, the thing I’m most proud of is the authenticity of what we do. Our flavors are original. Our batches are small. Our team feels like family. And our customers feel that sincerity when they walk through the door, meet us at a market, or place an order on our website.
For readers discovering us for the first time, here’s what I want you to know: Space City Gourmet Popcorn is made with intention. We handcraft every batch, we ship anywhere in the continental US, and we love being part of your gifting, snacking, and celebrating. If you’re looking for gourmet popcorn that has personality, flavor, and a true small-business touch—you’ll find it with us.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that success in a small business isn’t just about having a great product—it’s about consistency, resilience, and showing up even when things feel uncertain. There are so many moving parts behind the scenes that most people never see: the long hours, the financial risks, the problem-solving, and the constant effort it takes to get your name out into the community. I’ve learned that you have to believe in your vision even on the days when it feels like no one else sees it yet.
I’ve also learned the value of connection. Building relationships with customers, employees, and other local businesses is what keeps a small business alive. Those connections have carried us through challenges and made the celebrations even sweeter. Knowing that our popcorn has become part of people’s holidays, gifts, traditions, or everyday moments reminds me why we started this in the first place.
And finally—adaptability. Things rarely go exactly as planned, and I’ve learned to embrace flexibility, trust my creativity, and stay open to new ideas and opportunities. Every challenge has made us stronger, and every win—big or small—reminds me that this journey is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spacecitypopcorn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spacecitypopcorn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563873094176
