Ocean City Chamber to Recognize John Stauffer Owner of Johnson’s Popcorn

OCEAN CITY– The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of the Chamber’s 2010 Citizen of the Year and Business Beautification Awards. These awards will be presented at the Chamber’s dinner Tuesday, November 16th at The Flanders in Ocean City.
The Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to John Stauffer. Mr. Stauffer is the owner of Johnson’s Popcorn on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Having been born in Philadelphia in 1943, John grew-up in the Keystone area of Upper Darby- the only child of two school teachers. At an early age John learned the value of work from his parents who had experienced the Great Depression. As a young boy he collected old newspapers which were sold by the pound and went door to door selling greeting cards and other items. Before graduating from Upper Darby High in 1961, John earned the rank of Eagle Scout. At Penn State University John joined the Acacia Fraternity and made the Dean’s List several times graduating in 1965. That fall he returned to Penn State in a master’s program. The next year John accepted a teaching position in Suffern, NY (Rockland County). During the summer of 1968 he finished his master’s degree.
John’s parents purchased the building which is now Surfer’s Supply at 31st & Asbury in 1951. He has been in Ocean City every summer since. His first job in Ocean City was peddling the “ding-a-ling” ice-cream carts to the beach in the afternoon and around town in the evening seven days a week. At the Surf Road beach John gave his allotted free Popsicle to a beautiful young girl, Rita Deacy, who would become his wife in 1969. While in college he bought the ice-cream business when his boss purchased the Cameo Waffle Shop on the boardwalk. Over the years the business expanded from 6 to 15 carts. In 1973-74 he built a garage with an apt. on top at 34th and Haven Ave. to house the carts.Being interested in World Cultures, John and his new wife went to Venezuela, S.A. in 1970 teaching for Exxon. Rita retired in 1973 to have their first child Cherie. The next year they returned to the States, moving into the 34th St. apt.; running the ice-cream business; and looking for a teaching job. Unfortunately there was a glut of Social Studies teachers and John looked at other options to feed his family. He saw an ad in the OC Sentinel for a boardwalk business requesting interested parties to write reasons of interest to a PO Box not mentioning the name of the business. A week later, John received a call from a Bill Keller who owned Johnson’s Popcorn. He never heard of it, but his wife having a sweet tooth did and loved it. They took a 2nd mortgage out on their house and bought it in late August of 1974. There were 3 cookers, one popper, plus a huge pretzel machine. Rectangular metal containers were used to measure the popcorn before dumping into bags. The next year John introduced the “Stay-Fresh” plastic tub. The popularity of popcorn plus being able to take it home and keep it for months helped to increase sales. In the fall of 1974 John took 21 credits at Glassboro for his elementary certification as there was a demand for male elementary teachers. In January of 1975 he taught 4th Grade for a month a Seaview Elementary School in Linwood. Then he moved to a long term subbing position for 7th Grade Reading in Ocean City. On August 29, he was informed that the Reading position would be available. John applied and obtained the position for 24 years retiring in 1999. In 1976 his son was born, John Jr. In the early 1980ies, John sold the ice-cream business to a fellow teacher. In 1986 he took in a hard-working young employee as partner so John could take his family on trips throughout the USA. His partner was instrumental in making Johnson’s a year round and mail order business while John was busy teaching. John purchased his partner’s shares in 2007.John credits Johnson’s success to God’s blessings. He became a Christian about the time of the purchase of Johnson’s Popcorn. Also, the many, many dedicated employees (friends) have maintained the quality & customer service-not always an easy task. Johnson’s Popcorn has been blessed with many dedicated customers which has enabled it to give back to the community. Johnson’s donates quantities of popcorn and/ or contributions to the following: OC PBA; RNS Show House at the Shore; Overseas’ troops (often through the American Legion); Crossing the Finish Line; Emmanuel cancer Foundation; Jen Ward Memorial Foundation; Presbyterian Church of OC; City Team Ministries; United Way Atlantic County-through Bally, Harrah’s, Caesar’s, Showboat discount; OC Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association; Upper Township Fire/Rescue Squad; St. Peter’s Methodist Church; Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation; OCBP’s T. John Carey Master’s Swim; OC Tabernacle Vacation Bible School; OCHS After Prom; OCHS Reunion; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Sunshine Foundation; OC Exchange Club’s Lynn Baker Golf Tournament; Shore Memorial Hospital; OC Historical Museum; Big Brothers and Sisters; American Cancer Society; and the American Heart Association. In addition, Johnson’s sponsors a contestant for Miss Night in Venice and a concert for the Friends of the Ocean City Pops. Johnson’s is very supportive of Boardwalk Merchants activities. Throughout the year Johnsons gives hundreds of door prizes and items for Chinese Auctions. There is no other place in the world where John would rather live than America’s Greatest Family Resort. Both of John’s children live in Ocean City and both have a boy and a girl ages 1-4. Shortly after moving to OC in 1974, John and Rita joined The First Presbyterian Church. He soon became a Deacon then over the years served 4 terms as an active Elder. He has been on the Mission’s Committee for about 15 years and helps usher. Also, John is an active Boy Scout Family Life Merit Badge Counselor. In the ‘80ies & ‘90ies he was active on the board of the 16-34 OC Civic Association. For the past 10 years he has enjoyed the variety of aerobics classes at the Community Center. John feels fortunate that his children and grandchildren are in town.
In addition to the Citizen of the Year Award, the following awards will be presented the same evening:
Ocean Cafe will receive the Business New Construction Award for their outstanding new restaurant on the Boardwalk.
The Business Renovation/Improvement Award will be presented to P. Francis in Downtown Ocean City and to Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. in Marmora.
Wallace Hardware will be awarded the Outstanding Landscaping/Signage Award for their new sign along with the City of Ocean City for the Moorlyn Terrace Street End.
The Outstanding New Business Award will be presented to Potomac Bead Company in Downtown Ocean City and to Snap Fitness in Marmora.
Ocean City Home Bank, will be presented with the Outstanding Service to the Community Award for the Walk for the Wounded.
This year’s Outstanding Civic, Community, Non-Profit Organization Award will be presented to the Humane Society of Ocean City.
Jilly’s, Inc. and the Ocean City Free Public Library will be awarded for Outstanding Use of Technology for their new websites.
The new Environmentally Friendly Award will be presented to Bay Cats.
For dinner reservations or to congratulate the winners in the 2010 Program Book, please call the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce office at (609) 399-1412.