In 1998, the pair decided to take a chance on opening their own business. DiZio set up shop every day after school, on weekends, and throughout the summer.Īfter graduating from East Stroudsburg University in 1995, DiZio and college roommate Len Lehman ’94 found themselves frustrated with their post-graduate careers. He would sell the bakery’s pretzels on a street corner in Philadelphia and his neighbor would split the sales for the day. DiZio is the CEO and Co-founder of the Philly Pretzel Factory.ĭiZio’s entrepreneurial spirit started at the young age of 11 thanks to a neighbor who owned a bakery in a small town outside of Philadelphia. That really is a long-standing tradition.Dan DiZio ‘95 will be the keynote speaker for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 14, at 9:45 a.m. Of course, my own kids loved everything made there. “My family started buying pretzels from the Factory when I was a teenager. “That place was an integral part of this community and beyond,” declares Jill Beacham, 52, of Cresco. “We’ve done this our whole lives, and have carried on in our parents’ memory as best we could,” says Callie-Reisenwitz. Gretchen’s sister will continue to oversee operations at the Candy Kitchen. Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston Here, a variety of items crafted specifically for southpaws, including scissors, mugs, notebooks, and potholders, were sold to lefties. “It has been a pleasure to provide residents and visitors of the Pocono Mountains with a wide variety of pretzels and popcorn,” the company announced on its Facebook page.Ĭallie’s Pretzel Factory also housed the “Lefty Shop”, a nook dedicated to left-handers. They’ll always acknowledge the customers who sustained them, and are deeply grateful for their loyalty. “No more making pretzels anytime soon, or for a long time.” Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston
While Mark is sad about the Factory closing, he won’t miss his daily pace. Pennsylvania’s four seasons just aren’t appealing anymore,” Gretchen says. “We’re moving to Florida, primarily because of the cold weather. Now, though, the couple is eyeing retirement in year-round warmth. “It was a crazy, but wonderful ride,” Callie-Reisenwitz adds. While he baked pretzels, she also worked at her late father’s candy store. “If you could imagine it, we made it,” enthuses Mark Reisenwitz, who, along with wife Gretchen, ran the Factory since day one.
It wasn’t long before pretzel-making turned into high art, with versions adhered to sticks, cloaked around hot dogs, and morphed into pizzas becoming in-demand staples. And if you churned out knotted dough for over three decades, that twist came with a high measure of satisfaction.Ĭhristmas Eve marked the end of the road for Barrett Township mainstay Callie’s Pretzel Factory, which began baking its deliciousness in 1985, just three miles south of an eponymous Candy Kitchen. Getting into a twist isn’t always a bad thing, especially when making pretzels. Tweet Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston
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