The Happy Popcorn Company: The gift of a future to a 12-year-old boy
On a tree-lined street in downtown Cornwall, in the shadow of buildings more than a century old, something new has popped up.
“This is the Happy Popcorn Company,” said co-owner Kristin Davey.
It’s a joyous purveyor of more than 50 varieties of popcorn, and an endless assortment of candies, sweets, and chocolates.
“We’ve barely been able to keep up with demand for product on our shelves. It’s flying off,” she said.
Flying off so fast, the company keeps moving locations to keep pace with customers’ needs.
“We’ve been in business less than three years and we’ve already moved twice.”
“In January, we moved again and now are at over four thousand square feet in this location and we couldn’t be happier,” said Bill Halman.
The couple is happy to satisfy customers.
“People love popcorn. The popcorn is great,” Kristin said with a smile.
And Kristin and Bill are grateful their business will provide a future for their son.
“It’s for Jack, so he has a place to work when he’s out of school,” said an emotional Bill.
Bill Halman and Kristin Davey own and operate The Happy Popcorn Company in Cornwall. They opened the business so their son, Jack, will have a place to work in the future. Jack is on the autism spectrum. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
Jack is Kristin and Bill’s 12-year-old son.
“Thanks for poppin’ by,” Jack said with a laugh.
Jack is on the autism spectrum. When not at school, Jack’s doing jobs here.
“Cash and scoops,” he said.
The Happy Popcorn Company, his future.
“It always makes me happy.”
“We told the community this is what we were doing, and they embraced it,” said Halman, with tears filling his eyes.
This business is a beacon of inclusivity, a gift not just to Jack, but others with their own challenges.
“We had to help others that were like Jack in that situation and we’re so proud of our staff,” said Halman.
“Seventy per cent of our employees are either neurodivergent or they have a physical or medical disability,” said Kristin Davey.
Seventy per cent of The Happy Popcorn Company’s employees are neurodivergent, or have medical or physical disabilities. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
“Our customers, knowing that we’re giving opportunities to others, they’re just over the moon.”
Supervisor Jennifer Handfield said she was deeply moved by the family’s story.
“It just touched my heart when I heard about Jack,” she said.
Handfield is a supervisor at the Happy Popcorn Company. She sees firsthand how opportunity can change lives.
“It’s a great feeling. They’re able to do things that a lot of people think they can’t, but they can,” she said.
For Bill Halman and Kristin Davey, a future for Jack, means peace of mind.
“Knowing that this is here for Jack helps me sleep at night. When he’s in his thirties or forties, he’ll have a purpose to his day, a reason to get up in the morning. People will see him, know him and will accept him,” she said with a warm smile.
It’s a loving gift from mom and dad to their son; made possible by Seaway customers who treasure its value.
“Jack has a future here and he has a family that loves him,” said Bill, his voice breaking.
“We’re excited that we’re able to give that opportunity to him. And we’re grateful the community has given him that opportunity.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.