To ALL of our Kingston retailers and wholesale accounts —
THANK YOU for your continued PATIENCE!
If you've been carrying Kingston products for any length of time, you've probably noticed that getting orders filled has become more difficult than it should be.
For that, I sincerely apologize.
When I first started Kingston, my goal was simple: create as many great flavors as possible and give retailers plenty of variety. Over time, that grew into more than 60 pretzel flavors and over 30 cheese ball flavors.
The reality is that while customers loved having so many choices, unexpected changes in our lives made it impossible for one person to continue managing that many products well.
Since the end of November 2025, every batch of Kingston has been made by one set of hands—mine.
As many of you know, just two days after Thanksgiving, my wife, Melinda, began suffering multiple strokes and seizures. Even as recently as last month, we've continued facing additional medical challenges with her health. Those events completely changed our day-to-day lives and the way I have to operate Kingston. Since then, I've continued doing everything I could to keep every flavor available while also trying to keep orders moving.
The truth is... I simply can't continue operating that way.
Rather than continuing to fall behind and disappoint the retailers who have supported Kingston for years, I've made the decision to simplify the business from the ground up.
Beginning immediately, Kingston will focus on a small collection of signature flavors that I can produce consistently, keep in stock, and ship much more quickly.
Throughout the year, I'll continue introducing limited seasonal and specialty flavors, but the core collection will always receive priority.
This same transition is happening on our retail website as well. Website orders are moving primarily to our new larger pre-printed pouches, allowing me to streamline production and spend more time making products instead of constantly switching between dozens of different recipes and packaging formats.
I'm also continuing to work through a significant backlog of both wholesale and website orders. If you currently have an order that has been waiting much longer than either of us expected, please know it has not been forgotten. I am working through every outstanding order one at a time, beginning with the oldest first,
and I will get yours shipped as quickly as I possibly can.
In addition, some of you have carried our cheese puffs and the smaller 1/4 lb Pub Size pretzel containers. For the time being, those products will be extremely limited, and in many cases may not be available while I work through the current backlog. My focus right now has to be on producing the core products as efficiently as possible.
If you're interested in ordering those items, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
I'll be happy to discuss your needs on a case-by-case basis. While I can't guarantee availability outside of our core product line right now, it doesn't mean I don't value that business. It's simply that, for the time being, I need to keep Kingston as focused and manageable as possible while every batch continues to be made by one set of hands.
Some flavors have been retired and may never return as regular items. Others may
occasionally come back as limited releases or special production runs when production allows, but those batches will always come after the core collection has been produced and current orders have been completed and filled.
This wasn't an easy decision.
But I truly believe this change creates a stronger company—not because it offers more flavors, but because it allows me to deliver better service, more consistent inventory, higher quality, and a business that can continue for years to come.
Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and for continuing to support this small business. I don't take that for granted.
Patrick Koster
Founder & Snackmaker
