Company Profile
Founded in 2011, Streetpops has transformed a simple summer treat into a fast-growing regional brand. Based in St. Bernard, just outside Cincinnati, the woman-owned company produces small-batch gourmet popsicles made with real fruit, natural ingredients, and creative flavor combinations such as Thai basil lime, raspberry lemonade, and blueberry lemon cream.
Founder Sara Bornick launched the business after attending culinary school and converting her homemade ice-cream recipes into portable frozen treats. The concept debuted in 2011 at local markets and events from a pushcart selling handcrafted pops.
Since then, the company has grown significantly. Its products have also expanded into wholesale channels, including regional retailers and grocery stores, helping the Cincinnati-born brand reach a broader customer base.
The Challenge
As Streetpops’ popularity increased, Bornick began exploring ways to scale the business while keeping its handcrafted quality and strong local identity.
Streetpops needed to strengthen its production capacity and infrastructure in St. Bernard to support a new phase of growth. Planned improvements included expanding walk-in freezer space, investing in new production and packaging equipment, and upgrading the exterior entrance to the facility.
These improvements would allow the company to produce and distribute more frozen treats efficiently while maintaining the small-batch quality that helped build its reputation.
The Solution
Streetpops partnered with JobsOhio to support these facility upgrades through the JobsOhio Small Business Grant program.
JobsOhio assisted with a $25,000 grant to help offset the cost of equipment purchases and facility improvements at its St. Bernard headquarters. The funding helped reimburse key investments—including expanded freezer capacity and production equipment—that increase the company’s ability to store, produce, and distribute its handcrafted frozen desserts to wholesale distributors.
These upgrades allow Streetpops to meet growing demand while preparing its business model for expansion into new markets.
With improved production capabilities and a scalable franchise framework, Streetpops is well-positioned to bring its signature small-batch pops to even more communities while strengthening a locally rooted small business.
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Eligible businesses must have annual revenues between $100,000 and $25 million; operate within one of JobsOhio’s 10 target industries; increase company payroll or employment by at 10% as a result of the project; and other requirements.