BREZEL ROLLING INTO OTR THIS FALL

Pretzel-maker set to add some Bavarian flavor to the neighborhood

CINCINNATI (Monday, July 14, 2014) – Brēzel (pronounced brayt-zuhl) will open a new location on 6 W 14^th Street in Over-the-Rhine (OTR) this fall, in a move that seems as though it was predestined, based on the company’s short – but successful – history.

The inspiration for Brēzel, which makes hand-rolled Bavarian pretzels, was owner Brittany Baum’s trip to Germany in 2008.

“Being a vegetarian in Germany, there aren’t a lot of food options, so I pretty much lived on pretzels and Diet Coke the whole time,” Baum says.

Upon returning home to Columbus, Baum was unable to find a soft pretzel as tasty as the ones she had enjoyed in Germany, so she set out to make her own. After three successful years making pretzels in her kitchen at home, Baum opened her first Brēzel location in March 2011 at the North Market in Columbus. As Brēzel continued to grow, Baum decided it was time to expand. And, during a visit to Findlay Market in late August 2013, she fell in love with OTR. It reminded her of the Short North neighborhood in Columbus, where the North Market – and the original Brēzel – is located.

“The cool thing about Over-the-Rhine is that there’s a lot more architectural history, and I just love that,” Baum says, in recalling her initial visit. “I really liked the vibe – it just seems like a very creative neighborhood, and I felt like the type of creative people that live and work in the neighborhood, especially, would enjoy what we do.”

Brēzel will be moving into the Parvis Building, as it takes over the 565-square-foot space next door to the new Graeter’s shop at the corner of 14^th Street and Vine Street.

Although Brēzel has developed more than 30 different flavored pretzels, including a variety of seasonal pretzels that rotate throughout the year, Baum says the original salted pretzel is still the most popular – particularly among new customers. Other crowd favorites include Jalapeno Cheddar, French Onion & Asiago and Roasted Garlic & Cheddar. Pretzels range in price from $4 to $5, but for customers who are having a tough time choosing a flavor or want something lighter, Brēzel offers Pretzel Twists – which are about one-fifth of the size of the regular pretzels – for $1 each.

Other offerings include pretzel bites and dips (made from scratch), as well as buns, soup bowls and pizza crusts – all made out of pretzel.

Brēzel hopes to be open in time for Oktoberfest, but no official date has been set. Hours of operation have not yet been determined, but Brēzel will likely operate mid-morning through the evening, offering later evening hours on the weekends.

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