Dayton’s favorite little pretzel bakery sets first-ever afternoon hours

“We are hopeful we will see people coming in that normally wouldn’t be able to make it to us, like parents bringing their kids in for an after school snack,” said Emma Smales, the bakery’s fifth-generation owner.

Smales said the decision was made due to a combination of hearing from customers that they would like to see expanded hours as well as the freedom given to the bakery by the pandemic.

“When I took over the bakery, I was afraid to change too much because people are very attached to the bakery, there’s a lot of nostalgia there,” Smales said. “The pandemic has sort of freed us from the constraints of tradition and given us the freedom to find out what will work for our customers now.”

For now, Wednesdays will be the only extended afternoon hours.

“We are going to try one day a week and see how it goes,” Smales said. “Obviously if it’s wildly popular, we will think about expanding more hours.”

If all goes well, Smales said she could see the bakery adding more extended afternoon hours, but does not plan to ever eliminate traditional morning hours.

Smales continues to be closed Sun. through Tues., and open on Wed. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thurs. and Fri. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sat. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.