GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 5, 2024 – Gaby’s Gourmandise, creator of gourmet French food at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, today announced it has acquired Dorothy and Tony’s Gourmet Popcorn Shop, its neighbor in the Market Hall. The acquisition includes the Dorothy and Tony’s brand, Market Hall space, recipes, roasting equipment, and inventory. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Gaby's Gourmandise crafts sweet and savory tartes, quiches, galettes, cookies, and other goodies at the Downtown Market. The acquisition will allow Chef Gaby to grow with an entirely new product line, expanded space, and greater opportunities for building on his legendary, European-inspired sweet and savory foods. 

“My expertise is in French cooking, which requires careful attention to ingredients, chemistry, and how flavors interact, and that is where I see opportunity. Popcorn is a much more accessible product, and it requires the same level of care to balance the interactions between savory and sweet,” said Chef Gaby. “I appreciate everything the Dorothy and Tony’s team have accomplished over the course of 14 years, and I’m eager to bring my enjoyment of food and love of flavors to gourmet popcorn.” 

With the purchase, Chef Gaby plans to maintain many of the flavors that made Dorothy and Tony’s successful, including its kettle corn and Grand Rapids Mix. Gaby plans to experiment with new flavors, such as Herb & Parmesan, and styles such as “buttery popcorn brittle.” He will maintain two current staff members to help manage the transition and plans to bring on additional staff in preparation for a fall re-launch before the Christkindl Markt. 

“In addition to experimenting with the flavors, we are looking at expanding Dorothy and Tony’s wholesale and retail relationships, which also means working with new packaging that can help with shelf life and improve presentation,” added Chef Gaby. “We are also opening the Market Hall space to new partnerships, with Michigan-branded items, French cooking tools, and paper products that pair well with popcorn and pastries for celebrations and events.” 

Dorothy and Tony’s has produced delicious, flavored gourmet popcorn for decades. The company opened its first store and roastery in 2010, and moved operations to the Downtown Market in 2013, as one of its first vendors in the Market Hall. Gaby’s Gourmandise opened in 2021 and will celebrate its third anniversary in May. Chef Gaby plans to keep the Dorothy and Tony’s name during the transition period. 

“Dorothy and Tony’s has been with us from the beginning, and they’ve built a deeply loyal base of consumers, which have helped make it successful during the past 14 years,” said Mimi Fritz, president and CEO of the Downtown Market. “Chef Gaby is an incredible entrepreneur, and his commitment to gourmet French cooking will incorporate some wild, new flavors that will create an even bigger group of gourmet popcorn enthusiasts.” 

About Gaby’s Gourmandaise
Gaby’s Gourmandise is a destination for authentic gourmet French food in West Michigan, satisfying both sweet and savory cravings with skillfully prepared delicacies. Focusing exclusively on “food for the pleasure of eating,” Chef Gaby delivers love and enjoyment that cannot be put into words, through elevated, yet approachable, fine foods. 

About the Grand Rapids Downtown Market
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a delicious destination that brings together small businesses, food entrepreneurship, award-winning venue spaces, and public events to create a vibrant, year-round downtown experience. Open seven days a week, the LEED-certified building is home to 20 local, artisan food merchants and restaurants. More at www.downtownmarketgr.com. 

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