Bloomin' Bagels

Entrance of The Cafe 

     Approaching the end of the sidewalk, you will see a brick building with forest green accents and gold lettering that reads "BLOOMIN' BAGELS," which is impossible to miss. While walking through the doors and into the cafe, three employees dressed in all-black uniforms exclaim in harmony, "Hi, welcome in!" An energetic and lighthearted vibe instantly fills the atmosphere. Customers vary, from local college students studying to older locals dining in for their daily breakfast. Bloomin' Bagels offers more than just a cozy location to enjoy a morning meal with a refreshing beverage; it provides a welcoming environment that boosts your mood while bringing the community together.   

     Established in 1996 and renovated in 2006, Bloomin' Bagels presents as a town favorite in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It has become a family-involved business that holds involvement in the community to an exceedingly high standard. Clara, a middle-aged veteran employee, informed, "Donald Harris is the owner of all five locations we have. As a child, he grew up in New Jersey, and throughout his teenage years he worked at a bagel shop." Growing up in New Jersey exposed Don to a real Jersey bagel, bringing those expectations to his own business. As Clara took off her cream-colored apron covered with dark stains, she proudly announced, "After every closing shift, instead of throwing away our leftover bagels, we bag them up to donate to a local food cupboard." Taking pride in one's community signifies respect and compassion that should never go unnoticed. Donald Harris has brought pieces of his eventful journey to his own business that not only serves amazing food, but also successfully gives back to society. 

Counter and Menu

Bagel Selection 

    Bloomin' Bagels opens its doors from 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM every day of the week. Passing through the narrow doorway, black tables and chairs fill the rectangular-shaped cafe. Beige empty walls surround the store, accompanied by large rectangular windows with cream shades pulled halfway down. This permits the sun to peek through the window opening, bringing natural light to illuminate the inside. Walking straight through the uneven aisles, a dark granite counter appears with filled dishes of a colorful variety of cream cheese flavors and sandwich toppings. Hanging on the wall above, a black rectangular menu lists all their breakfast foods, hot and cold sandwiches, and salads in bold white lettering to allow clear observation of what's available for sale. To the right, small metal baskets line a display rack, each labeled and filled with different bagel options that offer an appealing visual to shoppers. The aroma of warm toasted bagels and freshly brewing coffee ties the atmosphere together, allowing customers to sit back and enjoy the present moment. 

Cream Cheese and Toppings

    Bloomin' Bagels' daily handcrafted products set them apart from other cafes in town. In the back kitchen, a baker continuously whips up light and fluffy bagels, ensuring they always remain stocked for customers. In a bubbly tone, Clara remarked, "We have fresh produce delivered weekly too." From behind the counter arose a rhythmic sound of a metal knife hitting a plastic cutting board while dicing up fresh vegetables. Subsequently, in a large silver bowl, the colorful minced cubes were mixed into a dense pile of cream cheese. A square dish held the speckled blend, prepared for its smear onto a warm doughy bagel. Bloomin' Bagels brings comfort to its customers in each homemade bite.

  

  As I sat and interviewed Clara, an older woman wandered through the entrance and reached the selection of menu options. A male employee, who appeared to be a young college student, asked charmingly from behind the counter, "Hi, how are you today?" 

With a bright smile, she replied, "I'm doing great! Besides from the fact I'm so overwhelmed by this menu!" She continued, "What's your most commonly ordered item?"  

    While brewing a fresh pot of coffee, he disclosed, "The most popular item on our menu has to be the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a toasted everything bagel. Although our pumpkin cream cheese is back for the fall, so that has been a hit too!" 

    Her face lit up, and she began frantically rummaging through her purse. Grabbing her wallet to order, the elderly woman exclaimed, "Pumpkin is my favorite part about the fall! I'll have a toasted plain bagel with pumpkin cream cheese, please!" 

    "Coming right up," he declared, while making his way towards the freshly made bagels.

    The average day and environment inside the store vary depending on the time, season, and day. With a smile on her round face, Clara mentioned, "During the school year, our weekends are slammed with lines out the door. During the week, our busiest time is from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with our regulars and local businesses from around town," displaying how the neighborhood shows support towards one another. She later added, "Most days almost always have a steady or dead time period," which allows for all staff to have breaks and downtime. All employees treat each other with respect while creating a playful dynamic, producing a positive work setting for everyone. When a rush hits, the three workers behind the counter divide to perform different tasks, working as a team to successfully accomplish their shared objective. Whether facing a chaotic rush or a quiet morning, the staff members' ability to work together keeps the establishment running smoothly. 

     A closer look at Bloomin' Bagels reveals a business that goes far beyond the menu. Within those beige walls, you can find a workforce that dedicates their time to creating an inviting and relaxing place for every customer, while heavily prioritizing the community.