Locals tell us that this 300 sqft storefront at 2927 SE 21st Avenue was an Italian market in the 1920s and then an electronic repair shop in the 60s (fixing turntables and speakers primarily). Supposedly Lady Gaga spent the night here in the early aughts when it was the occasional practice space for a well known local band, but the windows had been shuttered since.

New owners took it over in 2019 with the intention of re-opening the space to the neighborhood as an inclusive incubator of ideas and a conduit for creative engagements. Finally, in 2023, after a few stops and starts, one global pandemic, a pathetic fascist uprising, countless hours spent watching a few Netflix Korean dramas, as well as the usual day-to-day distractions, the lights have flickered back to life in the Pretzel Factory.