Whereas it could seem that New York’s beloved bagel store is again, there’s way more to this story.
When Absolute Bagels on the Higher West Aspect shuttered late final 12 months, New Yorkers had been left heartbroken and mourning the bagel joint, which had made its mark on quite a few best-bagel lists all through its 30-year run.
Now, an indication for a bagel store has returned to the storefront at 2788 Broadway, between West 107th and 108th streets.
“Reopen: New Absolute Bagel,” the banner outdoors the shuttered retailer learn, alongside a picture of a bagel with cream cheese.
However regardless of the placement, the phrases “reopen” and the title that suggests it’s a brand new model of the identical joint, New Absolute Bagel has no relation to the unique Absolute Bagel.
Rafe Evans, the dealer of the property from Walker, Malloy & Firm, advised West Aspect Rag again when Absolute Bagel initially closed that it was his precedence to maintain the storefront a bagel store.
“I rented to [Absolute Bagel owner] Sam [Thongkrieng] 30 years in the past, he’s gone now [leaving the space] and it’s my job to re-rent the shop,” Evans advised the Rag. “And all of us agree one other bagel retailer is the best precedence and finest use of the house.”
Whereas the aim of retaining it an area for New Yorkers to get their beloved bagels was successful, Evans advised the outlet this week that the brand new house owners haven’t any connection to the Thongkrieng household and are “not family names” — although they do function a small variety of bagel shops in New York and New Jersey. No different specifics or particulars had been supplied.
Evans was additionally stunned by the title on the signal, telling Pix11, “We had been stunned to see they’re calling themselves the New Absolute Bagels. We do get why they’re doing that.”
Although he advised the neighborhood weblog I Love the Higher West Aspect that they’re unsure if that’s the official title or if it’s “only a placeholder.”
However Evans expects every little thing else to be completely different — together with the bagels.
“They will rebuild it from scratch. They want every little thing. Flooring, partitions, ceilings, the works,” he shared. “Sam, the previous proprietor, was requested if he needed to promote his recipes, and he mentioned anybody could make a bagel.”
Thongkrieng, a Thai immigrant, first opened Absolute Bagels in 1992 after working at Ess-a-Bagel. It was shut down final December as a consequence of well being violations.
Absolute Bagels was docked 67 factors by town Division of Well being as a consequence of violations that included “proof of rats or reside rats,” and “reside roaches,” which known as for fast closure.
Rat droppings had been discovered within the meals preparation, storage and repair areas and sugar packets beneath the bagel counter had been clearly gnawed by the pesky critters, inspectors mentioned on the time.
Heartbroken prospects had been determined to get one final bagel after the sudden closure, with listings of bagels popping up on eBay for as a lot as $50.
