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With a line wrapping around the counter and almost out the door, the new Collegetown Bagels shop, on the corner of Marshall Street and University Avenue, has attracted plenty of customers with its extensive menu of sandwiches, bagels and coffee.

The family owned and operated business opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, less than a month after the building’s former occupant, Schoolyard Bagels, announced its closure.

Collegetown Bagels co-owner Gregar Brous said he and his family had known they wanted to open another location of their Ithaca-based business since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The city of Syracuse, a college town like Ithaca where the Brous family has previous ties, was one of the options they first surveyed to expand their business, he said.

“We particularly like college environments where there’s young people. There’s a lot fresher thinking in those kinds of places,” Brous said. “Students generally are looking for ‘How can we do good for the world? How can we think better about ourselves and what society is doing?’”

With four eateries and two bakeries throughout the city of Ithaca — home to Cornell University and Ithaca College – Brous said he’s familiar with serving college students. The business is expecting to serve three meal periods and late night options. Currently, the eatery operates from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

In the days following Collegetown Bagels’ initial Wednesday opening, Syracuse University students have reacted positively to its presence on Marshall Street. Several said they were pleased with the bagel shop’s quick opening, customer service and outdoor seating options.

SU sophomore Asher Gonzalez, who lives in Milton Hall, said Collegetown Bagels will be a convenient dining option on the way to class, as the shop sits less than a block away from the residence hall. He said he hopes the new shop will revamp Marshall Street’s appeal to SU students while maintaining its small business character.

Alicia Hoppes | Contributing Photographer

Co-owner Gregar Brous said he and his family had known they wanted to open another location since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Syracuse was one of the first options they surveyed.

“I definitely think it’s a step in the right direction, not just for the university, but for students here,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also said the new eatery adds more variety in nutritional value to Marshall Street food establishments, many of which are fast food.

Two SU freshmen, Lucy Flemer and Marisa Traver, said the location is also convenient for people taking SU classes nearby. Collegetown Bagels sits within the same block as several SU facilities, including the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Marshall Square Mall, the School of Education and Milton and Orange Halls.

Flemer and Traver, who are roommates, said they’ve been meeting after their nearby classes to enjoy their bagels and coffee in the shop’s outdoor seating.

Students said they hope Collegetown Bagels’ presence will combat a lack of deli and bagel options, which many are used to having in their hometowns, in the university’s vicinity. Traver and Flemer said they’ve been searching for quality bagel options since arriving on campus this fall.

“We don’t really have bagel places. At the cafes, you can get bagels, but they’re not that good in my opinion,” Traver said. “This is better than what we have currently on campus.”

Collegetown Bagels’ menu includes specialty bagels, coffee and sandwiches. The oldest sandwich on the menu is named after Brous’ daughter and business partner, Lindsey. At the new location, Brous said the bagel shop will introduce specialty items unique to the Syracuse location. The business has already added a freshly-squeezed orange juice machine serving “Cuse Juice.”

“We really like to tailor our menu and our service style and our feel to the specific neighborhood and area we are in,” Brous said.

Brous said Collegetown Bagels also plans to add to its menu in accordance with student feedback and demand. He said he’s noticed that certain menu items, including gluten free options and scallion cream cheese, are especially popular among Syracuse patrons.

Collegetown Bagels also hopes to give back to the local Syracuse community, which it has previously done at its Ithaca locations, Brous said.

“We want to be in places that we believe in and find organizations and groups that are needy that we can believe in,” Brous said.

While it looks to expand to other cities, Collegetown Bagels will continue to gravitate toward college-town environments, Brous said. He previously told WSYR-TV that the business may open additional Syracuse locations if the Marshall Street store is successful.

Brous said the shop hopes to expand its operating hours and menu in the future, and the shop will host an official grand opening in the coming weeks.

Published on September 8, 2024 at 10:30 pm