Doh! New pretzel restaurant coming to Sterling

STERLING – We kid you knot: Didoughs Twisted Pretzel Co. is coming to Northland Mall.

Depending on how long remodeling the new space takes, the gourmet pretzel, pretzel dog, and pretzel sandwich shop should open in 6 to 8 weeks, owner Clay Begly said.

The Sterling Didoughs (pronounced did-doe’s, like ditto) will be the fourth location for the little Peru-based chain, Begly said.

He has two other mall locations – his premier shop in the Peru Mall and a second location in Northwoods Mall in Peoria – as well as a free-standing restaurant in Ottawa.

Why the move north? Northland Mall officials found him, he said, approaching him more than a year ago via a letter.

He and his wife, Margit, paid a visit and liked the area. When he learned Dunham Sports and Rue 21 were moving in, he was persuaded to join the Northland lineup, Begly said.

“That was one of the reasons I said yes,” he said.

He expects to hire seven or eight workers, half full-timers and half part-timers.

Begly, 52, of Princeton, launched his business 11 years ago with his ex-wife, Sandra Brown, a nurse. According to Didoughs’ website, their goal was to create a healthy alternative to fast food.

Go to www.didoughs.com for a complete menu and more information. You can reach Begly via email at info@didoughs.com or at the Peru shop, 815-224-6000, and there's also a Facebook page.