Athens’ Bagel Street Deli plans to expand

Bagel Street Deli. Photo by Emily Zeiler.

Bagel Street Deli is planning to expand in spite of financial blows dealt to business by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The popular restaurant, located in Uptown Athens, announced it will be expanding in a Facebook post on Feb. 9. It will be taking over the neighboring storefront, which was formerly occupied by Mountain Laurel Gifts. Mountain Laurel Gifts closed at the end of December 2020, according to its website. 

“We kind of made the decision that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand. We felt like if we were going to commit to Bagel Street, and commit to this community and town, that we were ready to take that leap of faith. It is a big risk,” Bagel Street co-owner Megan Meyer said. 

Bagel Street’s existing space will continue to be used and connect to the new space in order to provide more kitchen space. 

Meyer says she hopes the expansion will allow Bagel Street to provide customers with faster service. She also hopes the larger dining room will allow Bagel Street to become a place for people to spend time in once the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

“I think probably we’re most excited about being able to offer what we already do, so we’re still trying to offer the same quality bagelwiches, but we’re trying to offer them a little quicker, because we know the line is a problem, and offer maybe more of a space that people can come and actually be in the dining room and not feel like they need to leave immediately,” Meyer said.

Meyer acknowledged the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on local businesses, but believes it created unique opportunities for Bagel Street.

“It's unfortunate so many businesses are going out during this pandemic, and we obviously didn’t want that to happen, so we’re hoping to continue to offer good food at a decent price, and hopefully a little bit quicker,” Meyer said.

President of the Athens County Chamber of Commerce Dani Underhill said the pandemic has changed businesses in town.

“In short, the pandemic has reshaped the business community in a lot of ways,” Underhill said. 

Underhill encouraged individuals and businesses to focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the Athens business community for the better. 

“The relationships between our businesses have been forged, I think, stronger, and the leaders on all levels are working together closer, even if they’re in the same consumer markets,” Underhill said. 

Underhill believes that despite the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of business in the Athens region looks bright. 

“Ultimately I think the future of the Athens community and the business community in Athens County is going to break molds. I think that we’re not going to surprise ourselves, in general with what we come up with or what we do on the other side of this. I think it’s always been there, but I think we get to step into that power,” Underhill said.