Look out, Louisvillians, gourmet braided pretzels are coming in hot. Stellar Snacks, a Nevada-based snack manufacturer, announced plans to open a $137 million production plant in the West End.

The company will set up shop in a 434,000-sqft facility at 1391 Dixie Hwy. near Kentucky Bourbon Barrel and Brough Brothers Distillery. The expansion will mark the third location for Stellar Snacks and the largest economic development project in the area in two decades.

According to Gov. Andy Beshear during a press conference, the investment isn’t just big, it’s historic.

The goods

Founded by mother-daughter duo Elisabeth and Gina Galvin in 2019, Stellar Snacks makes non-GMO vegan pretzels baked with sustainably-sourced ingredients. Currently, they distribute four flavors — Simply Stellar, Bold & Herby, Maui Monk, and Sweet & Sparky — to 5,000 stores across the US. You can pick up a bag in Louisville at The Breeze Wine Shop on Logan Street.

Stellar Snacks also commissions emerging artists to create the artwork for its colorful packaging.

The pretzels' retail price ranges from $4.49 for a five-ounce bag to $83.88 for a case. | Photo via Stellar Snacks

The Biz

While the development has been announced, it’s contingent upon final approval of state incentives by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. If approved, Stellar Snacks would receive support for rail access to the facility + job grants with benefits for hiring locals who live in the nine west Louisville neighborhoods.this sentence kinda confuses me, maybe split in two?

The new manufacturing plant intends to hire 350 employees. | Photo via Stellar Snacks

Baking operations should begin in September 2024. While we wait, Stellar Snacks is getting a jumpstart on hiring for the plant — which promises to create 350 full-time jobs over 10 years — next March.

Careers at the facility will include:

Pretzel-makers
Production staff
Engineering and maintenance
Mechanics and technicians
Receptionists
Human resource assistants

Learn more about opportunities at Stellar Snacks upcoming job fair on Saturday, Dec. 16.