Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Company is headed east this summer with a new franchise location in Harrisonburg, Va., announced Pete Suter, Shirley’s co-founder and CEO.

The store, in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley, will mark the company’s sixth overall location and first outside of Ohio.

Locally owned and operated by franchisees Rob and Lisa Roeschley of Harrisonburg, Va. and Wayne and Luisa Witmer of Broadway, Va., the new store is on schedule for an opening in the late summer.

“We work very hard to identify the absolute best possible owners to grow the Shirley’s brand,” said Suter, “and the Virginia team has demonstrated excellence in every step along the way.”

For the Roeschleys, each of whom are Bluffton University graduates, the new business venture is a way of sharing their roots with their local community.

“Bluffton holds a very special place in our hearts, and we realized that Shirley’s would be a perfect fit for Harrisonburg,” said Rob. “So we jumped at the chance to bring some of the best of Bluffton to our home in Virginia.

Co-owners Wayne and Luisa Witmer say they look forward to adding to their city’s downtown revitalization.

“Our entire family is excited about working together to bring a family-friendly business to downtown Harrisonburg,” said Luisa. “We see it as a great new way to connect with our community.”

Suter says the new location, expected to open in the late summer, is the next step in the company’s vision of becoming a household name from coast to coast.

“Each new store demonstrates Shirley’s broad appeal and ability to thrive in many different settings,” said Suter, “We can’t wait to welcome even more new owner-operators into our franchising family.”