One can never claim that Geoff Hardman and Dan Herbst do things the conventional way. When they launched the Cleveland Bagel Co. (216-395-7723, clebagelco.com), they did so around a product that was wholly (or is it holey?) original, a sort of mash-up of styles commonly enjoyed in New York and Montreal. Cleveland Bagels are made with malt, hand-rolled and boiled prior to baking, giving them a satisfyingly chewy texture.

Since launching in 2013, Cleveland Bagel’s bagels have been available around town at coffee shops like Phoenix and Pour, and restaurants like Graffiti and Cafe 55. They are produced in the commercial kitchens of Ohio City Pasta, located in, obviously, Ohio City.

What the bagel boys lacked was a retail presence, a place where customers could pop in to pick up a dozen fresh bagels or a simple bagel and a schmear. That retail space will take shape by early spring, says owner Dan Herbst, but it’s anything but typical.

“It’s literally a doorway between a nail shop and the dog shop – a stairwell with the stairs removed,” Herbst explains, adding that the final dimensions will we be a not-so-roomy four by 14 feet.

Located just down the block from the production kitchen, the retail outlet will serve as a small retail presence for the growing foods company. It will also serve as the proverbial (and, perhaps, literal) foot in the door in terms of future growth.

“This will make a nice jumping-off point for us until we get our own official shop and production facility,” Herbst says.

Look for the wee shop, which will be located on the same Hingetown block as Jukebox, this spring.


This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2016.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

6 replies on “Cleveland Bagel to Open Petite Retail Spot in Ohio City”

  5. Looking soooooo forward to some Sunday AM bagels with the TIMES….so psyched! Thanks guys!!!!Welcome!

  6. Thanks for this news Douglas Trattner. I went out of my way to have a Cleveland Bagel because my fellow ‘Crafters at Cinecraft raved about them. We are thrilled to learn you are opening a shop in Hingetown. Welcome to Ohio City. We will be wandering over regularly.

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