Berkeley's Philly Pretzel Factory Under New Management

BERKELEY, NJ — The new owners of Philly Pretzel Factory in Bayville say they want to emphasize the eatery's upgraded customer service. Tropical Storm Isaias gave them quite the opportunity.

New owners Renee and Dan Hourigan let their employees go home Tuesday, when the storm tore through New Jersey. The Hourigan's stuck around to help the community.

"We kept the store open for another hour-and-a-half just to feed anybody who needed food for that day," Renee Hourigan told Patch.

Their first obvious change to the store: opening seven days per week as of Aug. 1. Philly Pretzel Factory was previously closed Mondays.

Renee performed secretarial work for 22 years in Marlboro Township and Cranford schools. She also has a business degree. But a new opportunity awaited Renee and Dan as their friend who owned the eatery looked toward a new venture.

They currently all own the location, and their friend will phase himself out. Renee says they're emphasizing a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

"We are trying to upgrade our customer service and make everyone feel welcome when they come in," she said, "because I know there were a lot of unsatisfied customers in the past — in like the last couple years."

The public-health crisis and coronavirus restrictions make it a difficult time to take on a new business venture. It doesn't help either when a tropical storm passes through on one of your first days.

But Renee says they feel quite fortunate at the moment.

"Since this business has been established for 10 years, people already know it," she said. "It already has the customers and the revenue coming in, so we actually lucked out on that."

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