Food & Family: P.O.P.S. Meets Canton
In the heart of downtown Canton, a new restaurant has “popped” up in the historic Jones building: Palermo’s Original Pasta & Sandwiches. Shortened to “POPS,” the restaurant is owned by Andy Palermo and his family. POPS offers fresh pasta, gourmet salads and sandwiches, and a weekday breakfast menu.
![P.O.P.S Family Business in Canton, Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Family_2024-04-02-122732_jfvl.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.38%2037.41&q=80&w=320&s=24394631f37fb61fa5985b50ccf94a6b 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Family_2024-04-02-122732_jfvl.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.38%2037.41&q=80&w=540&s=cb42efc46b68b26db8401fdcca16d7d2 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Family_2024-04-02-122732_jfvl.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.38%2037.41&q=80&w=768&s=1abf218c4c7e45f91f8e968618d4f485 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Family_2024-04-02-122732_jfvl.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.38%2037.41&q=80&w=1024&s=7931fd20897d5a5eccb76dd519a68eb7 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Family_2024-04-02-122732_jfvl.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.38%2037.41&q=80&w=1200&s=c7155fa3f7d14d8f2f8c576e0d8d90e4 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Family_2024-04-02-122732_jfvl.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.38%2037.41&q=80&w=1440&s=bd6ac8ae96a85e7d6cf1a50b7f14e1b4 1440w)
A few steps away from Cannon Park, POPS is located inside the recently remodeled Jones building. In a nod to the history of the location, mid-century modern furniture and a warm-toned color palette bring a cozy yet open look to the space. Charming jazz music plays on the overhead speakers. Customers are greeted with a smile once they step over the Love Local welcome mat.
“This community has embraced us so incredibly well, far surpassing any expectation Amber and I ever had,” says owner Andy Palermo. Andy runs POPS with his wife, Amber, and with the help of their two kids, Agnes and Augustine. POPS emerged from Andy’s love for his family and taste for Italian food.
![Chef at P.O.P.S. Restaurant in Canton, Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7ebf6446b00bf8fafed1c72dc4473ea2 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d23dd8884e30dbcf07fe9761165c4186 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=96b241c3b3cd9647f24024eb72f8f3d5 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d1feec96a77e6f65e3b3292d4745589f 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=354f6b8619284d9e888663d15c3e2243 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=bee590489e785f715a00e889df0e86db 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=4974f443238b033cfe3cb4d983217fac 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=550dd9b0222ba8f16985b98b0cbdf6cc 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/CHEF-at-Pops-6_2024-04-02-122829_xljy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=5aae7cb36745894c14f76020be55cfce 3840w)
A DREAM FULFILLED
While growing up in Connecticut, Andy was surrounded by Italian restaurants, one of which was even his first employer when he started out bussing tables. Since then, he’s consistently worked in the restaurant industry. Now, in Canton, opening POPS has fulfilled a long-term dream of his.
“I think most folks who work in this industry have aspirations to have their own restaurant,” he says. “I’ve always had that in the back of my mind, to have my own family-owned operation. But for me, my strongest motivation has been establishing something close to home, where we could serve our own friends and neighbors.”
![P.O.P.S. Ribbon Cutting in Canton, Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=834aa77de11794761e1533d6d2149c48 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=649c0e5980f56ebc8baf103c95d035b7 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9c3cca08a5942980500be2ed4280e676 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=33f3b652bca4e8ac85984dc3fce5f527 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d9c405be7b90871a66b902dac9022f32 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=c975f07adc3044ee24ec71f1871ac230 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fc3baf6833b171791830a2818731836a 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=61f9cba2247bc16a48427c6fc6087631 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/JC_09632.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=837e271f47ce570da1182708c33c90e6 3840w)
WITH VISION AND VALUES
Serving friends and neighbors lies at the heart of the vision of POPS. Andy and Amber’s list of values for the restaurant focuses on treating customers as guests, emphasizing productivity and positivity, and centering family within the restaurant. From the family photos on the wall to the occasional check-in from Agnes or Augustine, POPS is truly a family-run business.
POPS also aims to maintain an air of authenticity. Located within the restaurant is a miniature market, which features a wide variety of eye-catching and unique goods, most of which are imported from Italy. Here customers can purchase everything from olive oils to balsamic pearls to pasta-making tools. Truffles and other treats are also available for sale, since the restaurant’s dessert menu is still evolving. The first dessert on the menu: housemade New York-style cheesecake.
![Merchandise on sale at POPS in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=aebab7d09b0aad7934c308e6cd21964f 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=83b05f452eedb2a60d227a25b6083959 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f24d53627577caa97376750d446d8dad 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1702114eded8b88e3e43b9e21979f216 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f395a7bb0b9d3e4faec0927787fb0dfc 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=c2bfa184cd9e339aaa9d8091e146db5f 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=d248f6de6e65c07061299e38c32c1837 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=5c0420126dab2ac619ed87d3df375a61 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Gifts-to-Buy-at-POPS-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=d4dae3f7933c9caab07efecfbb9eabf4 3746w)
On display in the market is “Nonna,” named for the Italian word for “grandma.” Nonna is a pasta-making machine, a smaller version of the machine in the kitchen.
While he’s never been a chef professionally, Andy’s prior experience in the restaurant industry allowed him to combine his curiosity and love for cooking with the opportunity to work with highly-skilled chefs. “Andy ran all of Chef Ford Fry’s Supericas, like a fifth-degree black belt in culinary art,” says Penn Hodge, the developer for the location.
“If I didn’t have this restaurant, I’d be at home cooking the same meals,” Andy jokes. “It’s the food I love to eat and the food I love to cook.”
Andy and his family are thrilled to be working in the Canton community, serving the food they love to the people they love.
Palermo’s Original Pasta & Sandwiches, P.O.P.S., is located at 130 East Main Street, Suite 206, in Canton.
Visit their website to see their menu here: https://popscanton.com/