Dover Snack Business Has A Twist

For Pretzel Factory owners, itʼs about more than dough

DOVER (Tuesday, August 28, 2007) - Owner Jacqui Yerkes of Clayton greets customers with a smile Wednesday morning at the Philly Pretzel Factory, on U.S. 13 in Dover, Delaware. State News/Dave Chambers DOVER "" The aroma of soft pretzels, hot and fresh out of the oven, filled the air in the new Philly Pretzel Factory on U.S. 13 in Dover. Tim and Jacqui Yerkes, of Clayton, opened the doors to their new business three months ago. "We have a great product here, and you canʼt beat the price,"� Mr. Yerkes said. "Now we need to spread the word."� Three jumbo soft pretzels cost $1. "They are big, fresh and delicious and the price is fantastic,"� said Dover resident Bonnie Thomas, who stopped in the shop Wednesday morning. "Iʼm taking an order of pretzel dogs to my co-workers. Theyʼll be happy when they see me coming and I think food definitely brings up the morale of the office."� Ms. Thomas works as a dental hygienist for Dr. Devon Solaski in Walker Square in Dover. The factory sells pretzel dogs and pretzel sausages, which are pretzel-wrapped hot dogs and sausages. Mr. Yerkes said his sister, Kim Nuele, runs a pretzel shop in Philadelphia and has had great success with it. Mrs. Yerkes said she has a degree in graphic design and it has been helpful in creating advertisements and fliers for the business. She said she hopes business picks up in the fall with the kids back in school. Mrs. Yerkes said the pretzels make great school snacks. "The problem is that I donʼt think a lot of people know we are here,"� she said. "However, if they stop in once, they keep coming back."� She said they have sold a number of party trays and boxes of pretzels for people to sell at fundraisers. Mr. Yerkes said a box of 50 pretzels is $12. Some groups will buy them and sell them for $1 apiece, making a $38 profit, he said. "I think a party tray is perfect for a football party,"� Ms. Thomas said. "Beer and pretzels, you canʼt go wrong there."� Mrs. Yerkes said training for the business was only a week in Mayfair, Pa. She and her husband both said they have no regrets, and they enjoy owning a business. "We get compliments all the time from people on the pretzels,"� Mrs. Yerkes said. "It feels good knowing people appreciate your business, and knowing you made a good choice."� She said starting a business is always a risk, and one she and her husband are happy they took. "There are things in life you never know what will happen until you try,"� Mrs. Yerkes said. "We took a chance and so far it was well worth it."� The Philly Pretzel Factory is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit the Web site at www.phillysoftpretzelfactory.com.

Staff writer Nora Engel can be reached at 741-8272 or nengel@newszap.com

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