The Posh Pretzel, Forty Fort’s newest business, held a grand opening on Saturday morning. The pretzel shop is located at 1265 Wyoming Ave.
Kevin Carroll | Times Leader
The Posh Pretzel opens on Wyoming Avenue
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FORTY FORT — A little sign sitting in the grass outside of Forty Fort’s newest small business bears a simple message: “A pretzel is happiness with sprinkles on top.”
The Posh Pretzel aims to provide exactly that: happiness, in the form of a tasty treat.
The new business celebrated its grand opening on Saturday morning, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a visit from borough mayor, Andy Tuzinski. A portion of the proceeds from Saturday’s grand opening will be donated to Candy’s Place, a nonprofit cancer wellness center also located in Forty Fort.
Store owner Alle Stefanides is just 23 years old, graduating from Misericordia University last year. But The Posh Pretzel has been in the works for a while now.
“The idea for pretzels came with my Sweet 16 party,” Stefanides said. “I’ve been selling them out of the house for years now, and it was time to expand.”
Stefanides is a resident of Forty Fort, and jumped on the opportunity when the location on 1265 Wyoming Ave. opened up.
“I’m only like a block away from here, so it made total sense,” Stefanides said. “I like that I could stay local, I already know so many people around here.”
It was the local connection that led Stefanides to the idea of donating some of the sales to Candy’s Place.
“I know a few people that work over there, and I really like what they do and that they’re local, as well,” Stefanides said.
Much of Stefanides’ family was on hand for the opening, including her sister, future brother-in-law, aunt and grandfather.
“She’s [Alle] so creative,” Stefanides’ aunt, Kim Ervin, said. “She makes it all by hand, too.”
“Alle outgrew the house,” chimed in her grandfather, Richard Stefanides.
That was apparent on Saturday, as the store and most of the outside area were well-trafficked throughout the morning and early afternoon. Masks were on, of course, but COVID-19 didn’t deter Stefanides from her dream.
“We didn’t have to push back this opening at all. We thought this was actually the perfect time to open,” Stefanides said.
The store offers more than just pretzels, with chips and popcorn on the menu as well. Outside, face and hand painting was done for the kids while they waited to go inside, or while they chowed down on a pretzel.
The Posh Pretzel’s summer hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Special orders could be placed by phone at 570-574-0046.