Sisters Karen and Kaitlin own and operate Opa’s Pretzels!
In the 1950s their Opa and Oma immigrated from Stuttgart, Germany, to Echo Bay, Ontario, where they started a new life. German tradition was essential to the Hofmann family, and soft pretzels became a holiday favourite! As children, the sisters were always so excited to have Opa’s pretzels on every occasion. As they grew up, they had the opportunity to learn his German techniques, and when he passed, they continued the tradition for our family in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario.
Skip ahead a few years now, presently living in St Thomas; they found themselves missing authentically made pretzels. One day Karen had a craving and made Opa’s pretzels for my best friend Saadiya, and she insisted these needed to be known! She gave Karen the courage to try something that could be scary but worth it!
Soon after, Kaitlin moved to London and together began the family-run business that makes the best authentic soft pretzels! If you ask Karen, “I think Kailtin just wanted Opa’s Pretzels free for life.”
Now Opa’s pretzels have become something we want to share with everyone!
The pair tapped into the Foodprenuer Program, creating a greater sense of family. Through the program, they took the opportunity to sell our pretzels at the Horton Market for the first time last year, and they felt the support and encouragement from other local small businesses!
Karen and Kaitlin are so grateful to grow within St. Thomas, Ontario, sharing the best-tasting pretzels, and they hope Opa is proud of them for how far his tasty pretzels have gone!
