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By Kit Maher

Naismith's Pub & Pretzel, located at 211 Worthington St., is creating a handcrafted and upscale pub experience in downtown Springfield.

Though its a pub, they won't be serving greasy bar food. Owners Alisa and Ed Kenney make a commitment to bringing healthy organic ingredients to their menu, which boasts 24 craft beers, craft cocktails, house-made soft pretzels and specialty sandwiches and entrees.

"We purposely didn't get the fryer," Alisa said.

Customers eager to get a taste of Naismith's Pub & Pretzel won't have to wait much longer. The soft opening of the restaurant will start on Friday, Dec. 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., ahead of the grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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The stuffed pretzels at Naismith's Pub & Pretzel are inspired by the recipe handed down by Alisa's grandmother in Ukraine. Along with the original salted pretzels, they offer tomato, mozzarella and basil, jalapeno & cheddar, garlic & parsley, asiago & parmesan, chive cream cheese & garlic, chili pepper & smoked gouda, cinnamon & Columbia sugar cane.

Alisa grew up in the Kiev region of Ukraine where she was surrounded by her grandmother, Vera Garanzha's cooking, who has since passed away.

"Every day when she made soft pretzels, the scent of the pretzel was all over our little town," Alisa said. "The neighbors, when they could smell the pretzels hey came in and they knocked on the door like they have some business for her to do, but she always gave away her pretzels."

Alisa, who moved to Springfield in 2013 and earned her second Masters degree in Entrepreneurship at Bay Path University, was inspired by her grandmother and her MBA classes to start a business of her own.

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Alisa's said her grandmother is "very social, very friendly and that's kind of the concept I wanted to share with the community, too."

In opening Naismith's Pub & Pretzel with her husband, Alisa wants to "bring people together" and make it "a place of social interaction" in Springfield. A landing spot for people to eat healthy and drink good beer and cocktails, is the hope for the Kenney's. Alisa also wants to share her grandmother's recipes.

"I've been cooking with her all my life. We spent a lot of time in the kitchen," Alisa said. "There's nothing better in the world than my grandmother's pretzels."

They're affordable too; The pretzels range from $4.00 to $5.00, depending on the flavor.

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The craft bar offers 24 beers on tap from local breweries to places across the world. Specialty cocktails are also on the menu.

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Along with a long full bar, Naismith's Pub & Pretzel has tables and booths for casual dining. Alisa and Ed bought the place about two years ago and refurbished it. The space was unoccupied but formerly Naismith's Pub in Springfield, named after the man who invented basketball, James Naismith.

They kept the name, but added the "Pretzel." Some of the same elements of the former pub are seen at the Naismith's Pub & Pretzel, including the menu chalkboards and 24 beer taps.

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"Pretzwiches" are a Naismith's original creation, as well. Ten variations of sandwiches served on a baked to order pretzel bun with salt kettle chips.

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Entree items include Naismith's Style Burger, Prime Steak, Pan Roast Chicken, Beef Stew in red wine sauce, and The Chef's Loaf. A selection of salads and specials are also available.

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Take a sneak peek at Naismith's Pub & Pretzel before their soft opening in Springfield Friday. They boast hand-crafted beer, cocktails and soft pretzels, inspired by the recipe of co-owner Alisa Kenney’s grandmother. The grand opening is tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Posted by MassLive on Friday, December 7, 2018

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