When Dreams Become Pretzels: Rockhurst Theatre Friends Start St. Louis Bakery

Two friends who met while theatre students at Rockhurst are now bakers in St. Louis, specializing in pretzels, pies, brownies, cheesecakes, cookies, bagels, coffee, etc.

That “etcetera” will be key to their story later. 

Courtney LaChance-Denton (’09, English, Theatre Arts minor) and Jason Arnold (’08, English) were both in the show “Dead Man Walking” in 2004. A friendship was formed and like many at Rockhurst, has lasted through the years. They dreamed of going into business together, whether focusing on real estate or home improvement…or starting a bakery.

“I’ve always loved baking scratch made goods, and learned family recipes and various techniques from my Grandma,” Courtney said. “Jason was always there to taste test throughout our time at Rockhurst and beyond.”

Courtney’s husband, Dan Denton, is best friends with Jason, and is very much a part of the bakery dream. When the pandemic hit, the three realized that it was time to start making this dream a reality.

“One of the first times we saw each other after things began to open again and vaccines rolled out, we began to circle back to opening a bakery,” she said. “It was always on this pedestal, but we hadn’t yet thought it attainable. With the pandemic, it really made us realize we need to work and achieve our goal rather than talk in broad terms. It was over a decade we’d tossed around our ideas and we needed to do it; now was the time!” 

In early 2022 they began touring spaces to rent, developed a business plan, and solidified a menu. Next was the name.

“We wanted something catchy and unique. We went round and round for several hours, and as if by some divine inspiration Jason just blurted out ‘Pretzetera! Pretzels etcetera! Pretzetera!’ And it stuck its landing!”

Pretzetera, “A Twisted Tradition from Mama’s Kitchen,” began by making and selling pretzel nuggets to local restaurants to offer as appetizers for income until their renovation of the south St. Louis store was complete. They held their grand opening April 2 and are already eyeing a second location in the west St. Louis area.

Courtney maintains her job as a theatre and social studies teacher in the St. Louis area while working with Pretzetera. Her students may not realize they’re being taught by a “Pretzpert” (official Pretzetera term), but thanks to some Rockhurst friends following their dreams, they are.

Pictured, left to right: Jason Arnold, Courtney LaChance-Denton, Dan Denton