Ten years ago, we lived in Passyunk Square and life was grand. If we were hungry before noon (and many days, after midnight), there were two soft pretzel bakeries to be visited, depending on our mood. A fire several years ago knocked out one of those businesses, and their former home has been a source of mystery to us ever since. Perhaps you’ve been fooled by the signage at 636 Federal St., which has remained on the building even as the business has been gone for some time.

Ye olde bakery

The former home of the Federal Pretzel Baking Company has changed hands a couple of times since the hot pretzels stopped coming out the door. According to public record, it was purchased in 2008 by WWC Group LLC for $285K. A couple of years later, Poons Properties LLC paid over $150K more to take the property. You might wonder how a warehouse on Federal Street could be bought and sold for such high prices- the answer is the attached office space on 7th Street with one of the cooler signs you’ll see.

Around the corner

A few years ago, the entire building was for rent for $3,000/month. To our knowledge, the warehouse space remains unoccupied at this time. Does anyone know about the office space? If someone is operating out of the building, who is it and what are they doing? And would it be too much to ask to get rid of the confusing signage on Federal Street?

But whatever happens, we hope the sign on 7th Street remains forever. Confusion be damned, that sign is fantastic.