Business Spotlight: Local Family Brings Utah-Inspired 'Pop Shop' to Airdrie

When Barb Stanford and her family vacationed in Utah, they always made time for a special treat: visits to local pop shops.
Upon returning home to Airdrie, they noticed something was missing.

Pictured above Barb Stanford and her kids, Tyson, Cole, Dane and Bryn.

"We'd always go to the pop shop and get our fix and loved it, and then we'd come home," said Stanford. "There was nothing here."
That void inspired Stanford to open Over the Top Pop Shop in July 2021, initially under a different name before rebranding in August 2023.

The concept was new to many Airdrie residents.

"It's taken a bit for people to catch on," said Stanford. "A lot of people would come for the popcorn or the ice cream…Now it's taking off. People are finally realizing there's a pre-made menu, but you can also create your own."

Conveniently located in Airdrie’s downtown, the shop offers customizable drinks with endless flavour combinations. Stanford admits she was initially sceptical about some ingredients.

"I thought it was gross when I read the menu because I thought, who puts cream in their drinks?" she recalled. "It was so good. I craved it all the time."

The family business expanded beyond drinks to include lots of snacks, including ice cream, cookies, theatre-style popcorn and pocket dogs – a nod to Stanford's favourite treat from Calgary Flames games.

Stanford runs the shop with her husband, Kent, and their children Bryn, Tyson, Cole and Dane. Her youngest, Dane, whom the family adopted after fostering, is particularly special to her journey. A special pop, Red Thunderbird (a combo of peach, strawberry and watermelon in Sprite) is named in honour of Dane’s spirit name.

Before opening the shop, Stanford was primarily a stay-at-home mom and foster parent. As her children grew, she wanted something for herself.
The business has faced challenges, including her husband's heart attack and a separation from a previous business partner, but Stanford values the community connections formed through the shop.

"Most of the people that come in – it's funny – we didn't know them from before this, and a lot of them are good friends now," Stanford said.

Learn more at overthetoppopshop.com