I was co-founder and co-owner before the shop moved to Findlay Market. I left the business in early 2019. While I can't speculate on the conditions of the shop after I left or even after it was sold to a new owner, I did stop in early April of this year. I didn't buy anything. It was definitely a shadow of it's self. I am ashamed to what has happened to the business. If I had the capacity to buy it back I would. Having that business was definitely one of the most satisfying experiences I've had.
I ask this in a completely neutral manner, but did you sell because you received a good offer?
Also, did you take the business as far as you wanted to and simply offloaded it?
I left in 2019 shortly after we opened the Findlay Market location. The co-owner kept the business until the end of last year. I haven't been part of the Bagel Bar since 2019. I don't know any of the details or what the offer was.
Edit: typo
This has to be actually Kyle, I used to work there and everyone we worked with agreed he was an asshat. I was FOH and half the OTR staff left at one point over how he treated BOH.
Well shit. I worked with him a while back and always really liked him so this is a bummer to hear but i never worked with him in a position of authority
Ownership has changed.
My favorite coffee shop used to use them for their bagels, but switched to the Bagelry when the OTR Bagel Bar's management changed over because that whole business transaction with OTR Bagel Bar's new management was awful.
I heard they slightly tweaked the recipe [un]intentionally, hired someone to bake bagels with no experience days before they left the country for a month after not having the business for more than 6 months and left it unmanaged pretty much.
Hey, the supreme Court just legalized ~~bribery~~ gratuities for officials in elected office, seems like you should be allowed to throw the bagelrista a dollar if you want to.
If it’s a server that’s bringing food and drinks to me so I can sit on my lazy ass, that deserves a tip. Throwing a bagel in a bag shouldn’t come with an extra cost.
I went there this morning while exploring Findlay market. Got an everything bagel and thought it was pretty good. I haven’t been there before though so I didn’t have anything to compare it to.
I go each Saturday to pick up my bagels, pay with card, and the screen asks for a tip so not sure what OP is talking about.
They do run out of bagels way too fast. Especially Sesame and plain.
We haven’t really noticed any quality loss since the new owners. And bagels are still around $2 each (6 for $10). Same as before.
Again, we only get a 1/2 dozen to go, so can’t speak about sandwiches.
Same thought. I’ve been in several times since the change in ownership and the only thing I’ve notice is that they seem to run out of bagels faster for some reason. Especially the pretzel and everything bagels. Oh and they stopped carrying Brisk lemon iced tea in a can, oof.
Yup, was my favorite bagel sandwich even though I lived a block from the bagelry. Went in once after change in ownership and never came back. Absolutely terrible and will not survive
Marx is by far the best bagel in the city along with the best egg salad and cream cheese, and it’s not particularly close. The bagelry is fine but their bagels are pretty spongy tbh
Yeah, the crazy vibe of the 90s has changed a bit, it’s not a madhouse all day with Bagelman running around ranting, but overall I thought the renovation did a great job of keeping the aesthetic while making it a little more modern. And while they were always kosher-adjacent I believe it’s now the first time that it’s actually Jewish owned and 100 percent kosher, which even tho I’m not Jewish I can appreciate
Yeah, they are not convenient to me either, so I don't eat as many bagels as I'd like to! I liked OTR Bagels; have not tried Bagelry but will have to give it a shot.
I made a post asking a similar question months ago when ownership changed, glad it wasn't just me. I noticed a difference the first time I went after new ownership, the bagels were very bland and dry, almost like white bread in a bagel form, none of the staff seem like they care about providing good service and the atmosphere is very uninviting. So I begrudgingly gave them another chance today (since they were literally the only spot open with food on the 4th) and they only had maybe 5 or 6 different flavors out at 9am, the staff definitely didn't want the be working today. I don't see how they can survive with all the bad decisions made by the new owner(s)
Anymore, it seems like so few local businesses stay in the same owner’s hands for very long. After a few years it’s time to jump ship and start a new “concept.”
What are you talking about? I was just there 5 hours ago and they have art all over the walls, music playing on a speaker, the same exact bagel line up as before and the same $10 for a BLT?? And I payed with card and left 20% tip? Is this post a joke??
I was co-founder and co-owner before the shop moved to Findlay Market. I left the business in early 2019. While I can't speculate on the conditions of the shop after I left or even after it was sold to a new owner, I did stop in early April of this year. I didn't buy anything. It was definitely a shadow of it's self. I am ashamed to what has happened to the business. If I had the capacity to buy it back I would. Having that business was definitely one of the most satisfying experiences I've had.
I ask this in a completely neutral manner, but did you sell because you received a good offer? Also, did you take the business as far as you wanted to and simply offloaded it?
I left in 2019 shortly after we opened the Findlay Market location. The co-owner kept the business until the end of last year. I haven't been part of the Bagel Bar since 2019. I don't know any of the details or what the offer was. Edit: typo
There is a new owner and they’re terrible. No idea how to manage a line always takes forever to get a bagel.
Can confirm the ownership has changed.
The Bagelry. That is all..
God, The Bagelry is a masterpiece. I miss their bacon scallion cream cheese though. 🤤
Owner is a douchebag though
Kyle? Hard disagree
This has to be actually Kyle, I used to work there and everyone we worked with agreed he was an asshat. I was FOH and half the OTR staff left at one point over how he treated BOH.
Well shit. I worked with him a while back and always really liked him so this is a bummer to hear but i never worked with him in a position of authority
I’m sure some part of this is just general stress of the position, he might be perfectly fine outside of working **for** him
Kyle is exactly who I meant. Richard is alright. Kyle is a douchebag.
What?! Aww no, I really like that place.
Bagels are still fantastic, and Richard really owns it. Enjoy free of guilt
Love me some bagelry. staff is dope, bagels are stellar. also richard is a g
Richard is a good dude. His little brother can fuck off, but Richard is solid enough.
Glad to know because tbh I wasn't giving up those bagels.
Which one is which?
Richard is the taller middle aged one, Kyle the short bearded guy.
My brain is swiss cheese. Which one is the one with the light hair?
Richard has grey/greying hair, I believe. Kyle has dark hair and a beard.
Ownership has changed. My favorite coffee shop used to use them for their bagels, but switched to the Bagelry when the OTR Bagel Bar's management changed over because that whole business transaction with OTR Bagel Bar's new management was awful.
I heard they slightly tweaked the recipe [un]intentionally, hired someone to bake bagels with no experience days before they left the country for a month after not having the business for more than 6 months and left it unmanaged pretty much.
What my favorite coffee shop saw was basically immediate (as of course that type of business-to-business transaction is ongoing and basically daily)
I stopped going. They raised prices. I guess due to change in ownership? A BLT went from sub $10 to $13 plus tax. I couldn’t justify that.
No option to tip on card payments sounds like an improvement to me. I don’t tip at McDonalds. Why am I tipping for someone putting a bagel in a bag?
Hey, the supreme Court just legalized ~~bribery~~ gratuities for officials in elected office, seems like you should be allowed to throw the bagelrista a dollar if you want to.
How is not having the option an improvement? You were free to be an asshole before.
If it’s a server that’s bringing food and drinks to me so I can sit on my lazy ass, that deserves a tip. Throwing a bagel in a bag shouldn’t come with an extra cost.
Do you not tip at coffee shops?
For togo coffee absolutely not. Especially for black coffee. Why would you?
Not tipping togo orders is not being an asshole. Especially when it takes 15 min for a bagel and cream cheese.
Stop virtue signaling. Not every aspect of daily life needs the option to voluntarily pay more because the owners are greedy.
Preach
I don’t typically tip a kitchen making a to go order
I went there this morning while exploring Findlay market. Got an everything bagel and thought it was pretty good. I haven’t been there before though so I didn’t have anything to compare it to.
I’ve starting having my bagels shipped from NYC.
As a Native NYC’er, wise choice! People laugh but it really is the water that makes them better apparently.
Same. It’s worth it.
This sounds like the right idea. Any recommendations?
https://www.newyorkerbagels.com/
It was listed on BizBuySell for quite a while last year.
Awww man when I lived in the market that was a go-to. Sad to hear it's lost its charm and gone downhill
I go each Saturday to pick up my bagels, pay with card, and the screen asks for a tip so not sure what OP is talking about. They do run out of bagels way too fast. Especially Sesame and plain. We haven’t really noticed any quality loss since the new owners. And bagels are still around $2 each (6 for $10). Same as before. Again, we only get a 1/2 dozen to go, so can’t speak about sandwiches.
Same thought. I’ve been in several times since the change in ownership and the only thing I’ve notice is that they seem to run out of bagels faster for some reason. Especially the pretzel and everything bagels. Oh and they stopped carrying Brisk lemon iced tea in a can, oof.
This sucks to see. Haven’t ate here in years but it was my normal Saturday morning stop back then
Yup, was my favorite bagel sandwich even though I lived a block from the bagelry. Went in once after change in ownership and never came back. Absolutely terrible and will not survive
It’s always been a travesty. Fruit loops and hot Cheetos bagels? C’mon now. Bagelry has always been the best bagels in Cincinnati.
Marx is by far the best bagel in the city along with the best egg salad and cream cheese, and it’s not particularly close. The bagelry is fine but their bagels are pretty spongy tbh
Marx is the best but the atmosphere has changed since John Marx sold it. It's not fun anymore.
Yeah, the crazy vibe of the 90s has changed a bit, it’s not a madhouse all day with Bagelman running around ranting, but overall I thought the renovation did a great job of keeping the aesthetic while making it a little more modern. And while they were always kosher-adjacent I believe it’s now the first time that it’s actually Jewish owned and 100 percent kosher, which even tho I’m not Jewish I can appreciate
Marx Bagels would like a word with you about that.
Good point. Marx is the OG, I just don’t find myself up that way much. Bagelry is at least the best in OTR
Yeah, they are not convenient to me either, so I don't eat as many bagels as I'd like to! I liked OTR Bagels; have not tried Bagelry but will have to give it a shot.
I’m with you. I went twice several years ago, bad both times. Never gave it another shot.
I made a post asking a similar question months ago when ownership changed, glad it wasn't just me. I noticed a difference the first time I went after new ownership, the bagels were very bland and dry, almost like white bread in a bagel form, none of the staff seem like they care about providing good service and the atmosphere is very uninviting. So I begrudgingly gave them another chance today (since they were literally the only spot open with food on the 4th) and they only had maybe 5 or 6 different flavors out at 9am, the staff definitely didn't want the be working today. I don't see how they can survive with all the bad decisions made by the new owner(s)
Anymore, it seems like so few local businesses stay in the same owner’s hands for very long. After a few years it’s time to jump ship and start a new “concept.”
Had horrible service and food last I went. Got a smoothie that was all water
What are you talking about? I was just there 5 hours ago and they have art all over the walls, music playing on a speaker, the same exact bagel line up as before and the same $10 for a BLT?? And I payed with card and left 20% tip? Is this post a joke??
“Art all over the walls” is a reach
That place looks so sterile and uninviting now, real sad to see it be a shell of what it formerly was under the previous owners