Tompkins Square Bagels debuts on Union Square

The Union Square outpost of Tompkins Square Bagels is now open at 23 E. 17th St.

Last May, we broke the news about this expansion. This is the third location after the original (2011) at 165 Avenue A and (2016) at 184 Second Ave.

The 1,500-square-foot storefront with 22-foot ceilings was previously part of the Paragon Sports footprint. 

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it signage official on Union Square West

The Tompkins Square Bagels logo now adorns the storefront at 23 E. 17th St. at Broadway.

As we first reported on May 9, TSB is opening an outpost here on Union Square West. This will be the third location after the original at 165 Avenue A and 184 Second Ave.

The storefront with 22-foot ceilings, previously part of the Paragon Sports footprint, is currently being built out... owner Christopher Pugliese is hoping for a September opening. 

You can check @tompkinssquarebagels for construction updates. 

Photo via @tompkinssquarebagels

Happy 10th anniversary to Tompkins Square Bagels

Tompkins Square Bagels is celebrating its 10th anniversary late this month at 165 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

The shop had its soft opening here on Dec. 16, 2011. (The outpost at 184 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street debuted in November 2016.)

Congratulations to owner Christopher Pugliese and the staff at both locations.

It hasn't been easy these past two years. In November 2020, ConEd shut off the gas at the Avenue A location. (Service returned on Dec. 31.) At the time, a carbon monoxide sensor went off related to the storefront's hot water heater, and workers discovered a hole in the flue that brings in replacement air. 

Because of the hole, replacement air wasn't getting into the basement, thus the high carbon monoxide reading, Pugliese said at the time. However, despite identifying the problem and quickly repairing it, ConEd shut off the gas to the business.

To keep the shop running, Pugliese, who helped feed unhoused residents and essential front-line workers during the pandemic's worst days in the spring of 2020, spent $7,000 to buy three electric grills and have three 220-volt power lines installed so his team could cook. 

You can read more about how TSB overcame all this here.

Mikey Likes It and Tompkins Square Bagels join forces for first collaboration

Two Avenue A mainstays — Mikey Likes It Ice Cream and Tompkins Square Bagels — have teamed up for a Black History Month special with part of the proceeds going to benefit the Loveland Foundation.

The two just debuted a new cream cheese flavor and specialty sandwich. For this creation, the two reinterpreted Mikey's popular Southern Hospitality scoop... combining TSB's cream cheese with chopped, candied praline pecans, chunks of mini pecan pies from Abu’s bakery in Bed-Stuy and pecan pie filling.

Thrill-seekers may also order the Southern Hospitality cream cheese on an everything bagel with strips of bacon (you have to ask for Mikey's Southern Hospitality sandwich). 

For the rest of February, 10 percent of the sales from these items will go to the Loveland Foundation, a therapy fund for Black women and girls. 

The two shops plan to collaborate more in the future. 

"Mike and I have been talking about doing something together for years. Running a small business alone can totally consume you, and no matter how many times Mike and I bumped into each other on my walks home from work, we could never find the time to pull it off," TSB owner Christopher Pugliese told me about Mikey's founder, Michael "Mikey" Cole. 

Pugliese called Cole about this idea last Wednesday, and by Friday, Cole was in the TSB kitchen on Avenue A. 

"We had a blast and plan to do more collaborations together as well as some other charities feeding the homeless and hungry on the Lower East Side and in Harlem. Mike does a lot of charity work and when I asked him if I could join in he was very welcoming to the idea," Pugliese said. "I have to tell you, at one point he was working with my guys and I was looking over at him and I was just so happy he was there and that his place is around. COVID has taken so many small businesses. I really hope people in the East Village will show their support for Mike's place. I can't stress enough what a great, kind, big-hearted guy he is."

The gas is back on at Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A

On New Year's Eve day, ConEd arrived to restore the gas service at Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street... ending a nearly two-month odyssey. 

A quick recap: On Nov. 11, a carbon monoxide sensor went off related to the storefront's hot water heater. Workers discovered a hole in the flue that brings in replacement air. Because of the hole, replacement air wasn't getting into the basement, thus the high carbon monoxide reading, owner Christopher Pugliese said. Regardless of the find and fix, ConEd still turned off the gas to the storefront. 

To keep the popular shop running, Pugliese, who helped feed the homeless and essential front-line workers during the pandemic's worst days in the spring, spent $7,000 to buy three electric grills and have three 220-volt power lines installed so his team could cook. 

While Pugliese was annoyed that he had to close the shop from 10 a.m. to noon on one his busiest days of the year ("Yes, I'm complaining") when ConEd showed up, he's extremely happy to be back up at full cooking power.

He's also thankful to the encouraging comments and insights that EVG readers left on the previous posts about the situation (links below). 

"I'm really grateful to all the people who wrote letters and gave advice through those comments," Pugliese said. 

He also said he received helpful assistance in navigating the bureaucracy from local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera and her staff member Pedro Carrillo. "They pushed hard for me and Pedro really seemed to genuinely care," Pugliese said. "He called me three times a week and gave lots of help."

"This whole ordeal stunk and it cost me more money than I want to think about but it could've been so much worse," Pugliese said. "Thank you and happy New Year."

 Previously on EV Grieve: 

 • Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A continues on without gas — or help from the city 

• With gas shut off, Tompkins Square Bagels owner wonders why the city isn't helping small businesses during pandemic

With gas shut off, Tompkins Square Bagels owner wonders why the city isn't helping small businesses during pandemic

On Nov. 13, we told you that ConEd shut off the gas at the Avenue A location of Tompkins Square Bagels. 

At the time, a carbon monoxide sensor went off related to the storefront's hot water heater. Workers discovered a hole in the flue that brings in replacement air. Because of the hole, replacement air wasn't getting into the basement, thus the high carbon monoxide reading, owner Christopher Pugliese said. 

Regardless of the find and fix, ConEd still turned off the gas to the storefront at 165 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

To keep the popular shop running, Pugliese, who helped feed the homeless and essential front-line workers during the pandemic's worst days in the spring, spent $7,000 to buy three electric grills and have three 220-volt power lines installed so his team could cook.

Pugliese provided an update. 

It has been an incredible struggle to keep the doors open at the Avenue A location. We are basically working around the clock at [the Second Avenue location] to feed Avenue A. My staff, guys who have been fighting and pushing with me since April, are absolutely shot. 

The cost of running an entire store on electricity as opposed to gas is also extremely costly.  I'm not sure how much longer we can keep this up. At the same time, I have 15 full-timers and 10 part-timers who depend on their jobs to feed their families, pay rent or get through school. 

There is no end in sight and this is all extremely frustrating especially since the original issue was not gas related. Somehow, I've still had to file permits with the DOB, amendments with the DOB, and apply for gas with ConEd as if I were a brand new operation. I've heard stories of similar issues from other shop owners who waited months or even a year to have their gas restored. 

It makes no sense and seems incredibly unjust. Small businesses who have already jumped through the hoops and paid filing fees shouldn't be forced to start from scratch when a gas issue arises. Further, I believe we should be given some sort of expedited preference as our livelihood, and the livelihood of our employees depend on keeping the doors open.  

Pugliese is hopeful that a local elected official or community group will help advocate for small businesses like Tompkins Square Bagels and others in similar situations. (Pangea on Second Avenue is said to also be having gas issues with ConEd.) 

At the very least, in their own self-interest, the city should be wise enough to help the few small businesses left who are still creating jobs, paying sales, state and other taxes, and keeping neighborhoods vibrant and alive. It almost seems like they don't want us around and I just don't get any of it.

I'm hoping someone out there with enough power might be interested ... to help us, and make it so others don't have to go through the same ordeal. I know I'm one of the lucky ones. Many were not able to recover and lost their businesses. It has to stop.  

Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A continues on without gas — or help from the city

By all accounts, it looked like business as usual yesterday at Tompkins Square Bagels at 165 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street. Customers and delivery people were coming and going through the open doors. The smell of fresh-baked bagels was drifting from inside. 

However, behind the scenes, patrons may not know what owner Christopher Pugliese and his team needed to do to open.

On Wednesday, a carbon monoxide sensor went off related to the storefront's hot water heater.

"We discovered a hole in the flue that brings in replacement air. Because of the hole, replacement air wasn’t getting into the basement, thus the high carbon monoxide reading," Pugliese said. 

However, despite identifying the problem and quickly having it repaired, ConEd shut off the gas to the business. And Pugliese is angry.

"They could've disconnected the water heater. I get why they turned off the gas. It's easier ... I get that life was at risk," said Pugliese, stressing that safety is always a top concern. "But once it's determined that it wasn't a gas issue and the flue had been fixed, I shouldn't have to file permits and jump through hoops, pay fees, and be put on a ConEd waitlist. That is absolute bullshit."

For now, he's estimating a four- to eight-week period to get gas service to the bagel shop restored, a process that includes hiring a plumber, filing permits with the Department of Buildings, waiting for the city to inspect the space — all before ConEd even steps in, all for an issue that has already been addressed.

On Wednesday, Pugliese figured he'd need to close for the interim. "If we didn’t have the Second Avenue store this could've been a death blow," he said.

By yesterday morning, however, Tompkins Square Bagels, which first opened in December 2011, was up and running on Avenue A.

"Over the past 24 hours I bought three electric grills and had three 220-volt power lines installed so I could cook," he said. "They tried their best to shut me down but I am smarter and work harder than they could ever imagine." 

Total cost of the interim cooking system: $7,000

"I am open in spite of the city," said Pugliese, who noted that his shops helped feed the homeless and essential front-line workers during the pandemic's worst days in the spring. "I still did my part to help this city ... and we are all in this together? I just don't see the support on the other end."

A break in at Tompkins Square Bagels on 2nd Avenue

Workers arrived at the Second Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels this morning to find that someone broke into the storefront here between 11th Street and 12th Street...

Owner Christopher Pugliese said that the door, with an estimated cost of around $3,500, was the worst of the break-in damage. The now-smashed register contained $200 in change.

Officially on egg watch now in Tompkins Square Park

[Photos by Steven]

The egg watch clock (don't forget to set it ahead one hour tonight) is on in Tompkins Square Park for the resident red-tailed hawks, Amelia and Christo.

Goggla has been keeping tabs on the two. From a post earlier this week:

I wasn't positive of the situation until I returned to the park at sunrise this morning and found Christo laying down in the nest and Amelia perched nearby. He came out for a few minutes and they mated, then returned to the nest with tree bark. At that point, Amelia laid back down in the nest and remained there for most of the day. I saw them trade places twice, which is classic brooding behavior.

Hawks usually lay 1-3 eggs over the span of a few days. After the first egg is laid, they will continue to leave the nest to mate, but Amelia will stay in the nest through the night. Last year, Amelia appeared to lay her first egg March 13, so they are early this year. However, I'm not really surprised as they completed their nest in January and have been mating regularly over the last few weeks. Incubation will take about six weeks, so a hatch time would be mid to late April.

Meanwhile, here's a bonus shot from Steven of Christo gathering materials to fortify the nest...



Not sure of the enhancements in store for the nest — we didn't spot any posted work permits ...

Owner of Tompkins Square Bagels wants to bring the old Liquiteria vibe back to the original space

[File photo via Liquiteria]

Liquiteria closed this past Friday after 22 years on Second Avenue at 11th Street.

However, the space may not remain vacant for too long. Christopher Pugliese, the owner of Tompkins Square Bagels, is exploring taking over the storefront, partnering with Taras Strachnyi, who runs beQu Juice on Ninth Street, for a quick-serve juice spot and health-focused cafe.

"We have already seen the inside and have a decent rent in place," Pugliese said. "The aim is to bring the old Liquiteria vibe back to the original space. I think we both agree that the juice business has gotten a bit too corporate and sterile."

In Pugliese's opinion, Liquiteria was kind of the Tompkins Square Bagels of the juice business until founder Doug Green sold the business several years ago.

"We want to bring that feel back into the business. Give it the same feel and vibe of Tompkins Square Bagels," he said. "We’d offer organic juice made to order. None of this pre-bottled nonsense. This means we would have an actual staff who would interact with the guests. I know that’s not in vogue these days but that’s how we are going to do it. We will probably have healthy breakfast options too."

Strachnyi, a longtime East Village resident, worked at the original Liquiteria, and left after Green moved on. He opened his juice business on Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue in January 2014. (Strachnyi would also continue running beQu.)

Pugiliese opened Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A in December 2010. The Second Avenue outpost arrived in November 2016.

As for this new, unnamed venture, "We are going to try. We hope to pull it off."

The 2nd Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels is now open

[Photo of Garrett the manager yesterday by Lola Sáenz]

After a test run yesterday, the new location of Tompkins Square Bagels officially opens today at 184 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street. Owner Christopher Pugliese said that their hours for now will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and possibly 5 p.m.).

There have been several delays with the renovations here. Pugliese's build out got bogged down, in part, by city bureaucracy. As he said last December: "The killer is, the DOB approved all of our major alterations very quickly. They came back to us with a list of about 12 minor objections and asked us to make adjustments. Little things like 'move this staircase six inches to the right,' or 'put the skylight here instead of there.' That has been dragging on for months."

And most recently there was an electrical problem with the main line to the building.

The original Tompkins Square Bagels, which debuted in December 2011, remains open at 165 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Pugliese previously said that there will be several items only available at the Second Avenue outpost, such as knishes from Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery and bialys. [Bialys not here yet!]

Previously on EV Grieve:
A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

The new Tompkins Square Bagels will arrive before the 2nd Avenue subway

Video: An in-progress look at Tompkins Square Bagels, opening this month on 2nd Avenue

Video: An in-progress look at Tompkins Square Bagels, opening this month on 2nd Avenue

The Second Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels is inching toward completion... there have been a few delays at 184 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street (for instance, there was an electrical problem with the main line to the building).

In this video filmed the third week of October, owner Christopher Pugliese discusses what patrons can expect from this location and offers some details about the space.



As for the opening, he's looking at Nov. 14.

Video filmed by Shawn Chittle

Previously on EV Grieve:
A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

The new Tompkins Square Bagels will arrive before the 2nd Avenue subway

September opening for the 2nd Avenue Tompkins Square Bagels zapped by an electrical issue

Christopher Pugliese hoped to have the Second Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels open by the end of this month.

Unfortunately, the building's main power line had other ideas.

Yesterday, Con Ed arrived to dig up the street and sidewalk in front of the storefront at 184 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street...





"There's an electrical problem with the main line to the building. Nothing to do with my work," Pugliese said last evening. "However, they will need to dig up my space to replace it. Hopefully it's quick."

He's now shooting for an Oct. 15 opening.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 40-plus years, Open Pantry looks to be closing on 2nd Avenue

Rumor: Tompkins Square Bagels possibly opening a 2nd East Village location on 2nd Avenue

A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

The new Tompkins Square Bagels will arrive before the 2nd Avenue subway

September opening expected for the 2nd Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels

Here is the Tompkins Square Bagels signage on 2nd Avenue

The signage arrived yesterday here at 184 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.

Owner Christopher Pugliese is aiming for a Sept. 26 opening.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

The new Tompkins Square Bagels will arrive before the 2nd Avenue subway

September opening expected for the 2nd Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels

September opening expected for the 2nd Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels

An opening date is within sight for the Second Avenue location of Tompkins Square Bagels.

As I reported late last year, owner Christopher Pugliese's build out got bogged down, in part, by city bureaucracy. As he said in December:

"The killer is, the DOB approved all of our major alterations very quickly," he said. "They came back to us with a list of about 12 minor objections and asked us to make adjustments. Little things like 'move this staircase six inches to the right,' or 'put the skylight here instead of there.' That has been dragging on for months."

However, Pugliese told me on the phone the other day that the brunt of the work is complete. Workers installed the oven last week. Most of the equipment is in. Con Ed has turned on the gas service.


[The oven at 184 2nd Ave. last week]

"All the big stuff is done. All the plumbing is done. All the electric is done. We're bringing in coffee equipment now. We getting to the end," he said.

Considering how long the renovations have taken for the former Open Pantry space at 184 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street, does he even want to offer up a possible opening date?

"We're getting really close. I feel like it won't be any later than Sept. 10-15," Pugliese said. "At this point now I can do the fun stuff, like I'm talking to local artists. I'm thinking about where all the seats will go."

Tompkins Square Bagels opened on Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street in December 2011.

"I love my store. I love my customers. I've gotten to know so many great people. I was trying to create the kind of place that I grew up with," said Pugliese, a Brooklyn native.

Nine years remain on the Avenue A lease. However, he has doubts that landlord Jared Kushner will offer him a lease renewal at that time. Which is one reason he scouted for another location.

"I want to be like Veniero's, Russo's or East Village Meat Market," he said. "I want to be 70 and still in there working. I want to stay in the East Village."

And he has a good feeling about Second Avenue.

"There's something about that block and the surrounding blocks that feels good — really cozy and comfortable," he said. "And St Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery is there. We lost a church on A, so I'm back even again."

Pugliese also said that there will be fewer menu options on Second Avenue than at Avenue A. "The place is a bit smaller, so that has to be. And we want to speed things up a bit. That's hard when you have such a giant menu."

There will be a few items only available at the Second Avenue TSB, such as bialys ... as well as knishes from Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery.

"It's the biggest project that I've ever done in my life," he said. "But it will be totally worth it."

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 40-plus years, Open Pantry looks to be closing on 2nd Avenue

Rumor: Tompkins Square Bagels possibly opening a 2nd East Village location on 2nd Avenue

A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

The new Tompkins Square Bagels will arrive before the 2nd Avenue subway

Plywood arrives for Tompkins Square Bagels build-out on 2nd Avenue

As we've been reporting, Tompkins Square Bagels is opening a second East Village location — this one at 184 Second Ave. between East 11th Street and East 12th Street.

Workers erected the plywood outside the storefront for the renovations yesterday. Owner Christopher Pugliese told us previously that he hopes to be up and running here in December.

Read our interview with Pugliese here.

More about the 2nd branch of Tompkins Square Bagels opening in the East Village

[EVG file photo]

As we first reported, Christopher Pugliese, the owner of the 4-year-old Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A, signed a lease for a second East Village location — at 184 Second Ave. between East 11th Street and East 12th Street.

We talked with Pugliese to get a few more details on what to expect at store No. 2.

On a realistic timeline for opening

"The realistic timeline is five months. I'd like to open on the same date that we opened Tompkins Square Bagels in 2011 — Dec. 15."

On the similarities between the two shops

"We are going to replicate the Tompkins Square Bagels space on Avenue A. Same style. The whole assembly line. Everything will be made on the premises. Oven. Kettle. We're going to extend the space into the backyard to make the place bigger."

On a possible name such as Tompkins Square Bagels 2

"All my buddies and people who I get advice from are telling me, 'It has to be Tompkins Square Bagels. It's a brand!' They keep saying 'brand, brand, brand' I don't care so much. [Laughs] I might call it Second Avenue Bagels. I might call it Stella Bagels [for his daughter]. I don't know."

On staying in the East Village

"I feel like I'll be able to plant roots and stay here. I have a daughter who's 5-months-old now. When she is 15, and asks, 'Dad, what do you do for a living?', I want to be able to take her to the store. I'm not going anywhere. I want to be like the guys from Veniero's, Russo's and Bella Tiles. I pass that block on the way to work, and I see those guys like in their 70s. I want that. I want to keep going and work and be part of the neighborhood.

"I get offers. I was offered to go open in the Edge building in Williamsburg … in Grand Central terminal. I said no. I'm not looking to have an empire of stores, like five, six, seven, eight locations. I wanted to be here. I don't want to go there to work. I like it in the East Village — it's where I live. And it's where I'm going to stay."

-----

The previous tenant here, Open Pantry, the 45-year-old coffee shop/grocery, closed for good at the end of January. Dean Pappas and his family who ran Open Pantry also own the building. ("We negotiated the final details of the lease in his car.") Pugliese says Dean Pappas will have a role in the new bagel shop.

Tompkins Square Bagels opened on Avenue A near East 10th Street in December 2011.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 40-plus years, Open Pantry looks to be closing on 2nd Avenue

Rumor: Tompkins Square Bagels possibly opening a 2nd East Village location on 2nd Avenue

A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

Christopher Pugliese, the owner of Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A, has confirmed that he signed a lease for a second East Village location.

As we first reported on April 27, Pugliese had a deal in place to take over the former Open Pantry space at 184 Second Ave. between East 11th Street and East 12th Street. He signed the lease on Friday. We hope to have a few more details later this week.

Open Pantry, the 45-year-old coffee shop/grocery, closed for good at the end of January. The proprietors of Open Pantry also own the building.

Tompkins Square Bagels opened on Avenue A near East 10th Street in December 2011.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 40-plus years, Open Pantry looks to be closing on 2nd Avenue

Rumor: Tompkins Square Bagels possibly opening a 2nd East Village location on 2nd Avenue

A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

[EVG photo from Jan. 29]

Christopher Pugliese, the owner of Tompkins Square Bagels at 165 Avenue A near East 10th Street, confirmed to us last night that he has a deal in place for a second location at 184 Second Ave.

He will be taking over the space that previously housed Open Pantry, the 45-year-old coffee shop/grocery between East 11th Street and East 12th Street that closed for good at the end of January.

The proprietors of Open Pantry also own the building.

"They specifically made it a point not to bring in a big corporate business," Pugliese told us via email. "They wanted to keep it local."

We'll have more details later about the timing of the opening of the second TSB shop. (Tompkins Square Bagels opened on Avenue A near East 10th Street in December 2011.)

"It's a go," he said. "I am very excited."

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 40-plus years, Open Pantry looks to be closing on 2nd Avenue

Rumor: Tompkins Square Bagels possibly opening a 2nd East Village location on 2nd Avenue

Rumor: Tompkins Square Bagels possibly opening a 2nd East Village location on 2nd Avenue

[EVG photo from January]

Open Pantry, the 45-year-old coffee shop/grocery at 184 Second Ave., closed for good at the end of January. The proprietors, who also own the building here between East 11th Street and East 12th Street, have had the storefront on the rental market these past few months.

Now comes word, via the rumor mill, that Tompkins Square Bagels is looking to open a second East Village shop at this location.

We'll update when/if we hear back from TSB owner Christopher Pugliese.

Tompkins Square Bagels opened on Avenue A near East 10th Street in December 2011.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 40-plus years, Open Pantry looks to be closing on 2nd Avenue