Our Journey

From the Hjelm Family of Ashburnham Massachusetts comes Byron's Old Time Brine. Their artisan pickle recipe's have won multiple awards at the International Pickle Festival in Rosendale NY.

The journey started in 2011 when owner Craig Hjelm and his wife Glenna founded Stretch's Pickles LLC in Keene, NH. Throughout those early years Craig and Glenna built the business to where they were in over 40 stores throughout New England, which included 12 Whole Foods stores and many farmer's markets. In 2016 Craig had a serious health scare that contributed to their decision for the couple to sell the business. The company was sold to Vincent's Country Store in Westminster Massachusetts where Craig remained as a consultant and developed several new recipes for Vincent's before parting ways with the company. Vincent sold Stretch's soon after in 2019. Today, with the support of his family Craig has made a full recovery and in addition welcomed their new grandson to the family. With health issues no longer a factor, and their many loyal customers requesting them to bring back the best pickles in New England, They are returning under a new company named after their grandson Byron. "Byron's Old Time Brine" at 171 Kendall Pond West, Gardner MA,

Stay tuned for the next chapter...