BOM June 2026 - The Pretzel Connection

The Heber Valley Chamber is proud to recognize The Pretzel Connection and owner Meike Long as the Heber Valley June 2026 Business of the Month.

Known throughout the Wasatch Back as "The Pretzel Lady," Meike has built far more than a successful small business. From her authentic German pretzels, unwavering support of fellow entrepreneurs, and genuine love for the community she calls home, she has become one of the valley's most recognizable and beloved small business owners.

A Family Recipe Nearly a Century in the Making
Every pretzel that leaves The Pretzel Connection baking facility carries a story that began generations ago. Meike was born in Germany and raised by her grandmother. She learned the art of pretzel making in her family's kitchen using a recipe passed down through generations. Today, she continues to use that same recipe in her Heber Valley bakery, preserving both tradition and authenticity with every pretzel she bakes.

The pretzel itself has a fascinating history. Legend traces its origins back to 640 A.D., when an Italian monk created a simple baked treat for children. The shape intentional to symbolize folded praying arms. More than 1,300 years later, that twisted shape symbol of connection, tradition, and craftsmanship continues through Meike's work right here in this valley.

"We put a lot of heart into our products," she often says. "Around The Pretzel Connection, we call it ‘pretzel love.’”

Finding Her Way to Heber Valley
Before becoming one of the valley's most recognizable food entrepreneurs, Meike and her husband lived in Boston. After visiting their son in Utah, they fell in love with Heber Valley's mountain lifestyle and welcoming community. They returned home, sold their house, and made the move west.

A Surprise Business Venture
Interestingly, Meike never planned to become a professional pretzel baker. In 2018, she came out of retirement to help open a restaurant in Midway.

While working with the restaurant team to feature nearby breweries, Meike began making authentic German pretzels to accompany locally crafted beers. The response was immediate. Customers started calling the restaurant asking where the pretzels came from and whether they could purchase them directly.

What began as a simple menu pairing item quickly revealed an opportunity and Meike launched The Pretzel Connection.

Quality Over Quantity
In an era when many food products are mass-produced in large manufacturing facilities, The Pretzel Connection takes a different approach. Every pretzel is still handcrafted using high-quality, local ingredients and a labor-intensive process that prioritizes flavor, texture, and consistency over volume. Meike's company proudly utilizes local suppliers whenever possible, including flour from Lehi Roller Mills and salt from Redmond Inc. Supporting local producers remains an important part of Meike's business philosophy.

Her days begin early each morning making large quantities of dough. Each pretzel is mixed, cut, proofed, refrigerated, hand-dipped, baked, and packaged through a carefully managed process that requires precision, consistency, and countless hours of hands-on work. And the result is a product that is clearly better in taste, texture, and visual quality than mass-produced alternatives.

Serving the Valley One Pretzel at a Time
The Pretzel Connection supplies residents, businesses, hotels, restaurants, and special events throughout the Wasatch Back. Meike offers fresh-baked and bake-to-order products, as well as take-and-bake for advance orders. The business is known for traditional pretzels, but also for its creative event offerings.

One standout feature is The Pretzel Bar, a custom three-tier copper display designed to showcase Meike's pretzels at weddings, corporate events, and celebrations.

Meike also offers a variety of sweet and savory accompaniments, including specialty German stoneground mustard, honey mustard, chocolate hazelnut spreads, brown butter cinnamon sauces, and her famously popular from-scratch cheddar cheese sauce.

While her menu has expanded over time, Meike remains committed to simplicity and quality. Her focus is on creating exceptional traditional pretzels while finding creative ways to make special events memorable.

A Chamber Champion and Community Builder
The Pretzel Connection is known for exceptional products, but Meike stands out in the way she invests in people. As a proud member of the Heber Valley Chamber, Meike consistently supports fellow business owners and actively participates in efforts to strengthen the local business community. She believes deeply in connecting entrepreneurs, encouraging collaboration, and helping businesses succeed together.

Whether donating products for local fundraisers, supporting nonprofit organizations, volunteering her time, or simply helping another business owner navigate a challenge, Meike consistently shows up for the community. In many ways, she represents the best of what makes small-town business ownership special. And her success is measured not only by sales growth, but by relationships.

An Award Well-Deserved
The Heber Valley Chamber's Business of the Month recognition celebrates businesses that strengthen the local economy while contributing positively to the community. It honors organizations that exemplify leadership, service, and dedication beyond their day-to-day operations.

Few business owners embody those qualities more completely than Meike. And her amazing pretzel products are just an added bonus! For Meike Long, this recognition reflects years of hard work, craftsmanship, and community involvement.

At first glance, The Pretzel Connection may appear to be a bakery specializing in authentic German pretzels. Spend a few minutes talking with Meike and it becomes clear that the business is really about connection.

The Heber Valley Chamber congratulates Meike Long with The Pretzel Connection on being named the June 2026 Business of the Month, and thanks her for the countless ways she continues to enrich the Heber Valley community. For more information about The Pretzel Connection, visit the company's website or contact Meike directly to place an advance order for fresh, handcrafted pretzels.

The Pretzel Connection
2887 S Mill Rd Unit 5B, Heber City, UT 84032
Phone: 978-270-6917
Website: https://www.thepretzelconnection.com/