Raleigh’s first Philly-style pretzel shop will open soon. Here’s why it’s distinctive
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Even a month after the Super Bowl, the voicemail of Crofton’s Pretzels ends the same way: “Go Birds!”
The wildly popular Philly-style pretzel shop in Wilmington is making a move to the Triangle, with plans to open a new spot on South Saunders Street in Raleigh. Crofton’s will take over the space from another bakery, the pie shop Slice, which closed at the end of last year to relocate to bigger digs elsewhere.
Crofton’s is owned by former Marine officer Aidan Crofton, who plans to open the new shop in late April. The opening will ideally be April 26, the fortuitous target of National Pretzel Day.
Crofton’s Pretzels debuted in Wilmington in 2019 and survived the pandemic by establishing a quick fan base and already being built for takeout.
“We had an eight-month foothold before COVID and just boot-strapped it,” Crofton told The News & Observer. “I made all the pretzels for the first four years.”
The shop has already found a following in Wilmington. Crofton said one day a regular stopped in while in labor and on her way to the hospital.
“She said this was her third child and she knew they wouldn’t let her eat at the hospital,” Crofton said. “She ordered a half-dozen pretzels.”
Crofton grew up outside of Philadelphia, went to military school and the Naval Academy. His introduction to North Carolina was Camp Lejeune, during an eight-year career as an officer in the Marines.
After his military service, Crofton said he wanted to run his own business and looked to one of his favorite Philly traditions for inspiration.
“I grew up in Philadelphia and whenever I’m back exactly what I want is a big, soft pretzel,” Crofton said. “It’s a weird little business, but people seem to like it.”
What makes Philly-style pretzels different?
When it opens, Crofton’s will be the Triangle’s only dedicated pretzel shop, beyond the giant mall brands like Auntie Anne’s. It will also be the only Philly-style pretzel shop, which Crofton explains is distinct. Instead of being heart-shaped, Philly style are stretched into a long figure-eight.
The Raleigh menu is still being finalized, but Crofton said it wouldn’t be an exact mirror of the original in Wilmington. The current Crofton’s shop sells soft pretzels, covered in salt or cinnamon-sugar, plus pretzel dogs, mini-bites and stuffed pretzels, with fillings like buffalo chicken, cheddar jalapeno and mac and cheese.
Rather than saturate the Wilmington market with pretzels, Crofton said he immediately looked to Raleigh. The Raleigh shop will serve as a retail shop and wholesale commissary kitchen, with pretzels heading out to restaurants and markets in the Triangle.
“Raleigh was always the apple of my eye,” Crofton said. “It’s a real city and a new challenge.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 9:43 AM.
