The Scoop: Area businesses rally to resurrect Pratzel’s Bakery

Whether it was the chocolate-covered cupcakes, deliciously dipped leaf cookies or the soft and chewy bagels, we all have something we loved about Pratzel’s Bakery. So when the 98-year-old business announced that it would be closing after third-generation owner Ronnie Pratzel could not find a buyer, the beloved bakery’s many fans took action. Chris Reimer, vice president of social media at Falk Harrison brand development firm, started the campaign to resurrect the city’s only kosher bakery by offering a new buyer free social media services for one year. It wasn’t long before other former Pratzel’s customers and a bevy of local businesses – including Sauce – joined in. Aaron Corson of NJC Printing is offering $1,000 in printing services, Emily Kaufman Leone of Slice of Lime Design is offering up business cards, coupons and flyers and Meredith Elkin is offering to make retro-designed aprons for the entire Pratzel’s staff. Allyson Mace, publisher and founder of Sauce, has also stepped forward to help. In hopes of finding a buyer for the local spot, she is placing a free ad in the March 2011 issue of Sauce that will include all of the goods and services donated in this grassroots campaign. These are just some of the many steps community members have taken in a concerted effort to find a buyer for the legendary bakery. For a complete list of these amazing efforts (which seems to be growing faster than the snow can fall) visit Reimer’s blog. Potential buyers can contact Pratzel's at 314.993.5511. Business owners interested in adding goods or services that can sweeten the deal should contact Reimer at creimer@falkharrison.com.