When the new Manhattan Bagel in Southampton is bustling with customers, owner Ross Gelman is at his best.
Whether it’s before the morning commute, a late breakfast, lunch, or an after-school snack, the shop is all about community and family.
Right now, Ross is gearing up for the Wednesday’s grand opening. “There is sweat, tears, and constant work, and all I want is to watch this shop succeed and grow. This store is our fourth baby, so it is like raising a child.”
Wednesday, at 8 a.m. breakfast lovers will head to the new shop located at 707 Street Road, (the northeast corner of Street Road and Second Street Pike), for a day of prizes, which include coupon books for 100 free breakfasts for a year, and country radio WXTU-92.5 Luke Bryan ticket giveaway for a special Friday, June 23 concert in Philadelphia and more.
After 16 years in the bagel business, Ross and his father, Ilyas, have experience in providing high-quality products and exemplary customer service.
Ross said that he and his father love working together at all four of their Manhattan Bagel locations. “There is nothing better than when you can spend priceless time with your family and enjoy doing what we do,” his father explained.
The family opened its Willow Grove location of Manhattan Bagel in 2007, North Wales in 2015, Richboro three years ago, and the latest Southampton location had a soft opening in January.
On Mother’s Day, local families kept the staff busy with their sandwich orders for mothers and grandmothers alike.
One Richboro mom and grandmom, Myra Dukat, and her longtime friend, David Lenzner, enjoyed sesame bagels with cream cheese before heading to her daughter’s home for Sunday family dinner.
Dukat, a frequent customer at the new location, has tried other area bagel shops, but said, “Honestly, I prefer the Manhattan Bagel’s New York style. My favorite is lox and cream cheese on a toasted bagel for breakfast.”
As a business owner, Ross is well aware of the importance of connecting with the community, so he has partnered with a local organization, Autism Cares Foundation, (ACF), and will hold a fundraising event for the nonprofit on Thursday, June 29.
A portion of the proceeds from all sales that day, including gift cards, will be donated to the foundation.
Ross also provided 250 bagels for the May 6 Autism Cares Foundation Race 4 Resources held at Bucks County Community College and Tyler State Park. More than 1,000 community members and their families participated in the fun-filled event featuring a walk, 5K, and resources expo.
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