Business Profile: Posh Pretzels, Tarrytown
The products may be salty, but running Posh Pretzels in Tarrytown has been a sweet experience for Ann Marie DâErasmo.
DâErasmo has been creating and designing different varieties of chocolate covered pretzels for more than a decade, but often had to take time off because she couldnât juggle the demand for her product with her duties as a mother to young children. As her children aged, DâErasmo decided to open up a shop, and was lucky enough to stumble upon a vacant shop in her hometown and open Posh Pretzels in December 2014.
The shop allows people to buy the salty, sweet treats by the pound or in pre-arranged gift baskets and platters that often carry a holiday theme. One of DâErasmoâs favorite parts of the business, she said, is experimenting with new flavor combinations. One of her favorite creations is a mixture of white chocolate with banana, walnuts, peanut butter and dark chocolate.
âEvery time I have an idea I make some samples, put them out, and get the customerâs feedback,â she said. âTheyâre honest with me and tell me what they like, what they donât like and what they want more of, which is great. Itâs what we want.â
One of Posh Pretzelsâ most unique creations was actually the result of a suggestion made by DâErasmoâs 11-year-old son. He suggested cookie dough, which prompted his mother to make some changes to an eggless cookie dough recipe she used to know. The bite-sized product, with includes cookie dough mixed with pretzels and covered in chocolate, are currently available on a made to order basis, but DâErasmo says she hopes to eventually carry them full time.
She noted that it is important to her to keep her two children involved in her business. Both children frequently bring their friends into the shop while DâErasmoâs 13-year-old daughter often comes into the shop to help create displays.
âTheyâre both very much a part of it because they need to be happy and they need to know that Iâm doing this for them,â she said.
Despite only being in business for a few months, Posh Pretzels has already had a lot of national attention. The company was featured on âCELEBrations,â a WE TV celebrity party planning show hosted by David Tutera. Last month, the company participated in the Oscars with packages of Posh Pretzels included in the swag bags.
âIâm not surprised because itâs a really great, versatile product. Itâs really about how itâs packaged and presented and it does really well,â DâErasmo said of her success.
Although Posh Pretzels, which ships internationally, has been steadily growing, the brick and mortar operation got off to a bumpy start. The store experienced frozen pipes due to the harsh winter and when a pipe burst in the apartment located next door to the shop, Posh Pretzels was forced to close its doors for two weeks. DâErasmo stated that although this was a bit of a setback, employees at neighboring shops were more than helpful, bringing in water and offering to wash dishes for her.
âThey didnât know me and I was new here and they didnât have to do that but quite a few of them were fabulous and they really helped me get through what would have been a very difficult time if I didnât have them,â
With so much success, DâErasmo is already looking at ways to expand her business, setting her sights on several additional locations throughout Westchester. She stated that her ultimate goal would be to franchise the company and to make her product available in hotels across the nation. She said that she would also love to have Posh Pretzels available on airlines, as an alternative to the plain snacks that are usually provided.
âI think it would be nice to get on a flight somewhere and have a chocolate pretzel as an option for a snack,â she said.
Posh Pretzels is located at 7 North Broadway, Tarrytown; 914-332-0400; www.poshpretzels.com. Store Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 6p.m.; Friday 11a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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