When LunaPops opened its first retail store in the Landfall Shopping Center in 2008, it carried 20-25 different pops and changed them regularly while experimenting with what flavors worked best. Now, having closed its retail operation to focus solely on wholesale business, the company makes far fewer flavors. But one thing hasn’t changed; it still makes them the same way, 28 pops at a time.  

LunaPops recently announced that Matthews-based Harris Teeter has started carrying Sea Salt Caramel, Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Cream and Rhubarb Lime flavors at 180 of the chain’s grocery stores throughout eight states and Washington, D.C. The pops are sold in boxes of four and retail for about $5.89.

“It’s very, very exciting to go from selling pops one at a time in Wilmington to by the palate for Harris Teeter,” said owner and chief pop maker Jonathan Mills.

LunaPops, now based in Hillsborough, prides itself on its artisanal methods and tries to source its ingredients from North Carolina whenever possible. For example, the company has partnered with nearby a candymaker that uses evaporated cane juice for the caramel in the Sea Salt Caramel pops.

“It’s important to us to use whole fruits and ingredients like evaporated cane juice rather than sugary syrups,” Mills said. “And we’re very grateful to the North Carolina-based businesses like Harris Teeter that have taken care of us.”