Ranked among the City’s Best Bagel Shops, Tompkins Square Bagels has a reputation for becoming a neighborhood favorite shortly after opening. Currently, it has three locations open across Manhattan, and another in the works on the Upper East Side on 3rd Avenue. What Now NY previously reported that this location was supposed to open in the winter of 2023, but several delays have pushed the opening back to the fall of this year.
What Now NY connected with Tompkins Square Bagels’ owner & operator, Christopher Pugliese to get the latest updates on construction.
“Every place I build, I try to make it a New York City jewel,” said Pugliese. “I want every space to feel as special as possible. That’s why in the 13 years of Tompkins Square Bagels, I only have three locations. I want people of all walks of life to feel comfortable coming in and sitting down.”
Getting Tompkins Square Bagels’ fourth location up and running has been slower than initially projected. As the opening seems to be getting closer, anticipation is growing among Upper East Siders eager to have the bagel shops’ signature sandwiches within reach.
“I am really excited about opening a shop in the Upper East Side,” Pugliese said. “I grew up in Brooklyn, and we looked at the city in a different way. If you worked hard and did well in school, you believed you could make something of yourself in a place like Manhattan. Opening Tompkins Square Bagels in the Upper East Side is mind-boggling to me. It’s a huge accomplishment to have a business in this neighborhood.”
Tompkins Square Bagels’ new location on 3rd Avenue is being prepared for a white box build-out. The walls between the deli and pizza shop that once occupied the space have been brought down to create a larger area for the bagel shop.
Pugliese estimates that around 20 to 25 people will be able to be seated across some indoor and outdoor seating. The backyard patio behind the bagel shop will provide the majority of the seating options. Currently, the space is being prepared with a storefront and poured concrete floors.
Pugliese and his team have not yet taken possession of the space. Once he does, he anticipates getting Tompkins Square Bagels ready to open within four months. His renovation plans include painting the ceiling white, stripping the sheetrock of the wood beans, and creating a bar that wraps around the kitchen so people can watch their food being prepared. Pugliese plans to collaborate with local artists to liven up with space with some unique touches.
“One of my goals is to bring people together– it’s the biggest kick I get out of doing this,” said Pugliese. “I look at the lines we have in our shops, and I’m really proud. I see people who might not ordinarily interact mixing and mingling with each other. When you see people getting together and laughing, and realize the jobs that your business has created, it’s a feeling unlike any other.”
Pugliese hopes to open Tompkins Square Bagels in the Upper East Side this fall.
