09/06/2015
This message goes out to all family and friends who have not seen the recent posts about my store.
First, I'd like to thank my wife, Robin and daughter,Aimee for all the things given up during this time. Family vacations, holidays with family and friends, an evening out with friends, having me at home(not many know of the many days I've slept on an air mattress in my kitchen during the snow days, so our customers would have product) and of course the 1:30AM calls of equipment failure(I learned quickly to trouble shoot oven repairs.)
October 3, 1997 is whence it all began. Manhattan Bagel Center Square opened for business on Yom Kippur. Having no prior bagel pars, we continued to bake throughout the day. The total tally 3000 bagels that day. We've come along way since then. Yom Kippur 2014, 6000 bagels for the holiday alone. At the time, our lease was with Clemens, which was a family chain of supermarkets. In 2006, Clemens was sold to Superfresh markets, a banner of A&P. Our lease continued with Superfresh (A&P), a 156 year old company. Business continued to move ahead.Weekdays brought in brisk commuter business. With over 400 breakfast sandwiches, alone on the weekends, and dozens of hot bagels out of the oven, there was no slowing down. Fast forward to July 20, 2015, the day that would be the beginning our our end. A&P filed for Chapter 11. Announcing later in that day that Superfresh Center Square would be shutting down. I quickly connected with the shopping center owner, of the possibility of keeping my equipment and fixtures in place. I even made contact with the potential new supermarket owner. High hopes turned into sorrow on August 25, as I was informed that with a lease with A&P,I was required to remove all equipment and fixtures by September 4. Now, I've been told that 3 companies are bidding on the supermarket space and that they do their own in store bagels. With the high costs associated of opening another store, I find its time for this bagel man to hang up his bagel peel and move on to better things. For enjoyment I continue to take my weekly voice lessons and participate in classes at The Walnut Street Theatre, led by an excellent staff of instructors.
Finally, years ago somebody told me that your business is only successful as the staff that you employ. So, this goes out to all my previous and recent staff during these 18 years. Thank you for working for me and making my business the success it became.
A former employee, who worked for me 15 years ago( he is 30 years old now) came to visit upon hearing about my store closure. He thanked me for hiring him(his first job)and providing him the excellent work ethics that he continues to use today. That made my day better.
In conclusion, my career path can only get better.
With fond memories,
-Phil
