Long Beach Pretzel Shop Opens As COVID-19 Restrictions Ease

LONG BEACH, NY — Craig Kute of North Bellmore had the idea of opening a business during a pandemic. He runs a Philly Pretzel Factory franchise in Long Beach with John Macko and Tony Lay that opened in March.

The timing connected, indirectly, to the reopening of businesses and the new mask guidelines. A sign at his store two days after the state changed the policy stated masks were required to enter.

"We had discussed it, my partners and I, what would our philosophy be," Kute told Patch.

The new business owner did not want to ruffle feathers with any perceived political stance.

"Am I going to yell at you for not wearing your mask? We're not those guys. Am I going to yell at you for wearing a mask? No, I'm not," he said.

But, Kute may clarify the signage wording from "required" to "recommended" mask usage.

"I think that would be something we'd probably lean toward," he said.

As of this writing, Kute had his employees (vaccinated or not) wearing masks at all times.

"It's definitely a living process," Kute admitted. "I think the people who would want you to wear the mask will be the more outspoken for it."

Kute signed the lease for the prime East Park Avenue location in November, but the seed was planted in 2019. Kute and his two friends would become partners in the endeavor after buying a catered Philly Pretzel Factory tray for their kids' little league team.

The pretzels were an immediate hit with their families and they hoped for the same interest at a brick and mortar location.

Kute, a former Mister Softee driver, had Long Beach on the shortlist of where to open the store. But there's a seasonal aspect to the economic boon in Long Beach.

"It's always a concern," Kute told Patch.

However, as Kute builds a following in the community he thinks people will find many year-round uses for his pretzel trays, such as birthday parties.

Despite having no art training, he'll prepare the dough in many custom images for customers.

"As long it's somewhat two-dimensional, I can make it, no problem," Kute said. "It's fun when you make it the first time."

While the venture has worked out in the early going for Kute and his partners, he knows the pandemic could have caused the business to struggle.

"We definitely did take a gamble," Kute admitted. "We got the benefits of being able to negotiate rent in a great spot and hopefully it turns itself into something great."