Lake Murray Pretzel Company has opened its first store in Irmo. The veteran-owned business is run by a husband and wife duo who have had years of success selling at Soda City market in Columbia.

They held the grand opening of their Irmo store on April 17.

Jeff and Yvonne Nerone took a family recipe and developed four main flavors of pretzels, including original, kicked up, chili lime and cinnamon sugar with vanilla drizzle. After bringing small servings to parties and getting rave reviews, they began selling out of local markets across the Midlands and eventually booked a stand at Soda City Market.

The pair was baking and packaging each bag in their home under cottage food laws, which allows the sale of low-risk foods directly to consumers from their home kitchens without a commercial food license.

Yvonne said that when the demand rose, they began looking into commercial kitchen spaces and eventually starting a store of their own.

At the grand opening, Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson and Councilman Gabriel Penfield came to support the Nerones. Truly Sumptuous Creamery was also present from 3 to 6 p.m.

The store hosts other small businesses selling jewelry, candles, chocolates and other boutique items.

The couple is looking into adding soft pretzels and flavors of the month.

The new Lake Murray Pretzel Company is located at 7971 N. Woodrow St., Suite 10, in Irmo. Its hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.