IN THE MARKETPLACE By Nicole Magliaro, photos by Dan Epstein
Bagelwich—Not Your Ordinary Bagel Shop
W
ith a large number of bagel shops around, it can be difficult to know which serves the best bagel. Bagelwich’s thirty three years of business can’t be wrong. Frank Oldewurtel, owner of Bagelwich in Verona, has been making bagels since the age of eleven. He built the store from scratch in 1982 and it has been a success ever since. “What sets us apart from the rest is a good old fashion scratch recipe. We use the best flour and other ingredients and mix our dough daily with no preservatives, so its fresh and never frozen,” says Frank. Bagelwich’s bestselling bagels are plain and everything bagels. Whole wheat, sesame and poppy fill out the remaining top five. There are 28 flavors total, which include the delicious french toast bagel and super cinnamon. Other specialty items include salt sticks, cheddar cheese sticks, bagel breads, flagels and mini bagels in both plain and whole wheat varieties. But bagels aren’t the only talent that Bagelwich offers. “What most people don’t know is that we are a full deli as well, with everything from soups to subs and, yes, we do make bagel sandwiches,” says Frank. All salads and spreads are homemade in house, and
tuna salad and the veggie spread are their two best sellers. There are also their famous yogurt muffins that are brought in from New York.
number one request when local customers are going out to visit old friends that have moved away; they want them to bring our bagels!” says Frank.
If you’re having a meeting or a party, Bagelwich will cater it. Of the catering aspect of the business, Frank states, “Our catering is mostly geared to breakfast, lunch and parties. We have over-stuffed sandwich trays, three- and six-foot subs, Sloppy Joes, and smoked fish trays, among many other options. We also welcome special requests.”
Frank and his wife, Rosanne, have a very hands-on approach to their business. “Rosanne or myself are always here. With the exception of a few vacations, and few being an exaggeration, you’ll find one of us here, and we are always open. Even the blizzard of 1995-96 with four feet of snow in front of the store, we were open,” says Frank.
Breakfast is served all day and they’ve been known to turn the grill back on a few times after hours, seeing as customer service is at the forefront of the Oldewurtels’ business. When customers want catering, it is preferred that they call or come into the store, but regular orders can conveniently be ordered online. Online ordering can be done through www.bagelwichnj.com or several food delivery websites. Bagelwich also has a free app that can be downloaded from iTunes or the Google Play store. For those who have tried Bagelwich but have moved from the area or are away at college, Bagelwich will ship their tasty baking all over the country. “We are the
Bagelwich offers a loyalty program that anyone can sign up for just by using your phone. Text BAGELWICH (in all caps) to 973559-6688, and you will receive a stamp for each purchase of $5.00 or more. After ten stamps, you will receive a free dozen bagels!
Bagelwich 652 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona 973-857-9408 673 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell 973-228-0848 www.bagelwichnj.com
March 2015
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