Big Apple Bagels hosts grand re-opening

By Karen Brainard

The new owners of Big Apple Bagels will hold a grand re-opening this weekend, offering free samples of food and opportunity drawings.

The celebration will be from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7.

Opportunity drawings will be held for free food prizes such as a dozen muffins or bagels, sandwiches, or breakfast or lunch for two. Customers can fill out entry forms at the store this week for the drawings.

Big Apple Bagels is owned by the Hamptons—Regina Hampton, her son, Joe, and his wife, Andrea.

A portion of all purchases on Oct. 6 will be donated to Ramona Community School’s Montessori Academy sixth-grade camp fund, said Hampton, who noted that she enjoys doing fundraisers for schools and various groups.

Since purchasing the store in the spring, the Hamptons have been adding to the menu, expanding it beyond bagels, and redecorating.

Regina Hampton said they took out the partial wall in the middle to open up the room and are putting in carpeting, new booths and bistro tables, and freshening the look with paint.

“Trying to make it look a little homier,” she said.

A new menu item is the meatloaf sandwich. Lasagne is offered as a special. This fall Hampton plans to offer homemade soups and seasonal muffins.

“Everything is made here,” Hampton said. “We make them from the flour up.”

She also noted they have blended coffee drinks and fruit smoothies.

Big Apple Bagels is open daily until 5 p.m. but Hampton said she will stay open later if she receives requests from any groups that would like to meet there, including high school students who want to gather after a football game.

The store offers free Wi-Fi and is at 1925 Main St.