Bloomin’ Bagels, the shop that all of Mountain Top has anxiously been awaiting, is set to open on Monday, Nov. 28.
The bagel shop is located at 123 N. Mountain Blvd., opposite 10X Fitness.
Co-owner Neil Patel said the restaurant will offer New Jersey-style boiled bagels and cream cheese made from scratch on site, along with a variety of bagel sandwiches, coffee and other drinks. The bagel sandwiches, Patel said, will use Boar’s Head meats. The coffee will be Ellis’ Coffee.
“We’re confident the people of Mountain Top will enjoy the quality of our products,” said Patel, who owns the bagel shop along with Donald Harris. Harris operates two Bloomin’ Bagels in Bloomsburg and Buddy’s Bagels in West Hazleton.
“We’re both Jersey guys,” said Patel, who lives in Glen Summit with his wife, Stephanie and three children. “Don taught me how to make bagels back in 1990.”
Patel worked in the corporate world for more than 30 years as a senior vice president of Bertucci’s Italian Restaurants, Einstein Brothers Bagels and Wendy’s Restaurants. He left the corporate world to focus on opening and running the Mountain Top Bloomin’ Bagels.
“I’m a baker by trade,” he noted.
Patel explained that boiled bagels are made from scratch in the kitchen and then are stored in a cooler for 24 to 36 hours. They are then put into a kettle of boiling water to allow the yeast to re-activate. Once they are ready they are baked in the store’s ovens until golden brown.
The bagel shop owner said the favorite bagel among customers is the “everything bagel,” while the favorite sandwich is the sausage, egg, and cheese on an “everything bagel.”
“Everyone has their own taste, though,” he noted.
Patel said he has hired 23 employees and he plans to be on-site seven days a week. He expects a majority of its business will be through its double window drive-through. There will be inside seating for about 16 people. The store will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends.
