It's a tradition-filled meeting place. It's a destination, an attraction and a local treasure. It's the Pretzel Hut, and it's entering a new phase.

After the start of the business's regular seasonal closure - from October through March - current owners Tom and Angie Rabold put the property up for sale at the end of November. The sale is currently pending.

"There's been pretty much interest from other businesses in the area," said Angie.

The change comes after 22 years of the Rabolds' owning the business, located at 2224 Furnace Hills Pike, Newmanstown, just north of Brickerville.

"I just can't physically do 13 hours a day anymore," remarked Angie, 57. "When we're busy, we're busy. I want to have time for myself and my family - a normal life."

Rabold commented that the Pretzel Hut is integral to the community's history.

"Everyone relates the Pretzel Hut to the area," she said. "It's a place to meet. It's always been there. We've built it up to be an attraction. People come from all over. It used to be a hidden place, but it's not a hidden place anymore."

Over the years, the Pretzel Hut became known for its ice cream, but the quaint, indoor and outdoor eatery also served fries, drinks, broasted chicken, burgers, hot dogs, crab cakes, cheesesteaks, even meals and, of course, pretzels.

The petting zoo around back - which included goats, rabbits, chickens, peacocks, turkeys, ducks and geese - only enhanced the family atmosphere.

"It used to be a lot of older locals who were our customers," said Rabold. "Now it's younger families, but the locals still come. People come from all over because there's no place around like it."

"I've seen babies grow up, and now they're bringing their families," continued Rabold. "It makes me feel old. We got to know a lot of people."

Rabold said it is her hope that the new owners will continue to operate the business in a similar fashion.

"I would hope that it remains the same, and then gradually changes," said Rabold. "I think it's the only way it's going to work. There are so many people who come for their favorite treats."

The history of the Pretzel Hut dates back to the 1950s, when it started as a concession stand across Route 501 from the now-defunct Spring Lake pool. At one point known as C.J.'s Corral, the business's name was switched back to the Pretzel Hut prior to the Rabolds purchasing it in 2002.

"One day, we just passed it and saw that it was for sale," said Rabold. "We were like, 'Let's check it out.' I think it was closed for quite a while. One thing just led to another."

"In the first year, we were like, 'What are we in for?'" Rabold added. "It was just word of mouth. That's the best advertising, just satisfying people and they tell other people, and it keeps building."