Sad reason for Ipswich CBD’s Little Pretzel Shop closure after five months operation

An Ipswich small business owner has shared the sad reason why she must now close her passion project store just five months after its opening.

Little Pretzel Shop was located in the heart of the Ipswich CBD, at the Nicholas Street Precinct. Picture: Facebook/Little Pretzel Shop

A budding Ipswich business located in the heart of the CBD has announced its shock closure less than six months after its grand opening.

Little Pretzel Shop owner and head chef Stacey Gleeson posted to Facebook this morning: “It’s with a heavy heart that I share this message with you. Little Pretzel Shop is closing the doors.”

“Most businesses are doing it tough right now, but being a new business without cash reserves means we simply cannot trade through this period.”

This week is a sad one for Ms Gleeson, who told The Queensland Times she would be winding up the company and closing the store – effective immediately – due to a combination of financial and leasing issues.

Stacey Gleeson, owner and head chef of Little Pretzel Shop. Picture: Supplied/Stacey Gleeson

“If the money was there you would never get rid of me,” she said.

Little Pretzel Shop was a passion project for Ms Gleeson, who shared to Facebook: “These past few months have brought me such joy, not just because I love baking and feeding people, but because of you, our beautiful customers”.

“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of awesome, kind, supportive people and small businesses in our local area and are so grateful to each and every one of you.”

The store opened its doors last November at the new Nicholas Street Precinct in the Ipswich City Centre.

Little Pretzel Shop celebrated its opening at Ipswich’s Nicholas Street Precinct in November, 2022. Picture: Facebook/Little Pretzel Shop

The Nicholas Street Precinct opened last year, in what Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said was the biggest redevelopment of the CBD since the 1980s.

The precinct was marketed as a project that would bring the city centre “back to life”, as a new hub for businesses, entertainment and culture.

However, Ms Gleeson told The Queensland Times that she had struggled to stay afloat as a small business in the space.

“The events and marketing are only focused on the council owned part of the area, leaving the small independent businesses without much support,” she explained.

Members of the community and local council have posted their heartbreak over the store’s closure to social media.

Cr Harding wrote: “So sad to see you go Stacey. We loved your pretzels and your whole team. Hope to see you back soon”.

Ms Gleeson said she hoped to open again in due time, when financially able, and that she would soon be “flooding your social feeds again with delicious European bakery items”.

“There will be pretzels in our future,” she promised.