A & A Soft Pretzel Baking Company
A & A Soft Pretzel Baking Company, 1100–1106 North 32nd Street, Camden, New Jersey.
Established in South Philadelphia in the 1920s, the Panara family’s A&A Soft Pretzel Baking Company first moved to Camden in 1976. The first location was in the former home of the old Deluxe Italian Bakery Inc. building at 320 Stevens Street.
In 1985 the Panara family acquired the buildings at 1100–1106 North 32nd Street, on the northwest corner of North 32nd Street and Pierce Avenue in the Cramer Hill section of Camden.
Four generations of the Panara family have worked in the business. Brothers Nick and Al Panara, who literally grew up baking pretzels, along with Al Panara Jr., helm the enterprise. In October of 2010 the family decided to open the bakery to the retail trade, and have made many new friends in the immediate neighborhood.
On October 14, 2010 A&A Soft Pretzel Baking Company was awarded First Prize in the “Battle of the Soft Pretzels” for the best pretzel topping. The event was held in Philadelphia at the Independence Center.
The Bakery
Al Panara Sr. (left) and Nick Panara (right) at A & A Soft Pretzel Baking Company, 2010.
5th Annual Battle of the Pretzels — October 15, 2010
Al Panara Sr. & Nick “Ben Franklin” Panara at the 5th Annual Battle of the Pretzels — Independence Center, Philadelphia, October 15, 2010. A&A won First Prize for best pretzel topping.
Right Out of the Oven!
Fresh pretzels right out of the oven at A & A Soft Pretzel Baking Company, 2010.
The Bakery at 1100–1106 North 32nd Street
The bakery at 1100–1106 North 32nd Street, Camden, 2010.