A COMMITMENT TO SLOW

ARTISAN FOOD

In the middle of the Great Depression, Henry Martin began hand-crafting these extraordinary Pennsylvania Dutch Pretzels.

The easy access to labor, low supply costs, and the snack-loving American made this an excellent combination for a thriving business.

Over time Henry Martin sold the bakery to Lloyd Martin, the next generation. Knowing little of manufacturing, he instinctively bought the business at an auction one night in 1974.

1935

1991

After 10 years in PA, Lloyd Martin and his family moved the bakery from its original location to Theresa, a small town in Upstate NY, continuing the twisting traditional spirit of diligence & perseverance.

With times changing and new ventures being established, a handshake deal was made with Alfred Milanese of NYC to be one of the bakeries he distributed. For 28 years, Theresa twisted pretzels for local markets, mail orders (martinspretzels.com), and distribution nationwide and beyond.

Having entrepreneur vision & determination, Josiah Martin became the fourth generation to operate Martin's Pretzels.

With vision for the business, it was relocated to a new location in Moira NY. Along with all the equipment, the move included the 20 ft stone hearth oven original to it's founding.

The bakery opened on Oct 19th, 2020!

2019

2021

On Dec. 12th, 2020 a devastating fire burned the entire business to the ground, less than two months after opening.

Planning immediately began for what would become the new future of Martin's Pretzels. After 11 months of relentless hard work and dedication, pretzels are being produced in Moira, NY!

The family legacy goes on bringing these handmade pretzels across the nation and around the world!

Featured in FOOD+WINE, The New York Times and Vogue, and featured on Good Morning America Martin’s Handmade Pretzels remain the finest example of the hard pretzel form.

Ed Levine, in New York Eats, writes that Martin’s Handmade Pretzels—are to machine-made pretzels what a BMW is to a Yugo. Tasting a mere crumb tells the whole story.

There is no way to imagine the difference between machine and handmade pretzels without tasting. 

2023+

Lloyd, Justus, & Josiah on the opening day!

As we say around here...

handmade forever

Proudly, our commitment to slow, artisan food remains unchanged since the first pretzel was baked over 88 years ago. 

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