Magic Bagels is a popular bagel shop located in Hewlett, a small village in New York. The shop has gained a reputation for serving unique and delicious bagels that leave customers wanting more. The bagels at Magic Bagels are made fresh every day, using high-quality ingredients and traditional baking methods. They come in a variety of flavors, including plain, sesame, poppy seed, everything, and cinnamon raisin. Customers can also choose from an assortment of cream cheese spreads and toppings to complement their bagels. What sets Magic Bagels apart from other bagel shops is the addition of magical ingredients.

How an iconic New York bagel chain avoided layoffs and increased online sales by 2,000% after pivoting to a national subscription service during the pandemic

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Bagel Boss is shipping bagels to every state in the US. Bagel Boss

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• Bagel Boss, an iconic New York-based bagel chain, just relaunched its monthly Bagel of the Month Club subscription service.
• The online offering increased online sales by 2,000% year-over-year and helped prevent any layoffs for the chain's more than 200 employees, according to the company.
• "Having a Bagel Boss bagel, as you know firsthand, while walking into a shop and smelling that smell is feeling a sense of normalcy with everything else going on in the world right now," Bagel Boss CEO Andrew Hazen said.
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Most will agree — there's nothing quite like a New York bagel.

Luckily, people in other states can now order the carb-filled brunch staple straight from The Big Apple, thanks to a subscription service from Bagel Boss, a family-owned bagel chain with 13 locations across Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island.

Spurred by the headwinds of the pandemic, the 45-year-old business relaunched its Bagel of the Month Club subscription service in the spring after initially testing and then abandoning the service about a decade ago. This time around, store closures and a drop in catering orders for larger events prompted a necessary shift in how the company would sell its flagship product.

"It's a kind of gift or a package that really hits home for a lot of ex-New Yorkers, a lot of people that lived in the Northeast that really can't get a bagel anymore," said Bagel Boss COO Alex Rosner, the grandson of Bagel Boss founder Melvin Rosner.

A monthly Bagel of the Month Club subscription costs $44.95 and includes 13 bagels of any flavor, from a classic everything bagel to a "flagel," a flat bagel that was created and trademarked by the chain in 1999.

More than just a clever way to spur business during what was a devastating time for restaurants in 2020, Bagel of the Month Club also helped Bagel Boss avoid any layoffs of the chain's more than 200 employees, all of whom CEO Andrew Hazen says make up the "Bagel Boss family." Hazen himself started out at Bagel Boss as an employee in the chain's Merrick, New York, store in 1986. Over 30 years later, Hazen hired his 14-year-old son to work in the company's Hewlett, New York, store.

Bagel Boss' leadership team credits the Bagel of the Month Club online service with saving the family business. In 2020 alone, Hazen said that the chain has sold about 500,000 bagels overall, with a sizeable amount being shipped to locations in every US state, in addition to Puerto Rico. He added the company has achieved several months of consecutive six-figure sales. Overall, Bagel Boss' online business has increased by 2,000% year-over-year.

Like many New York City dwellers, I'm already familiar with the one-of-a-kind experience offered at a Bagel Boss store. I frequently visited the Murray Hill location as a college student and still regard the chain as one of my all-time favorite restaurants. Bagel Boss' founder hailed from Bialystok, Poland, which has imbued the mostly-kosher chain with an authentic Jewish essence.

"Having a Bagel Boss bagel, as you know firsthand, while walking into a shop and smelling that smell is feeling a sense of normalcy with everything else going on in the world right now," Hazen told me.

This "return to normalcy" factor could be a reason for the success of Bagel of the Month Club. In a year where comfort food and processed snacks have dominated, Bagel Boss' products offer a similar satisfaction for anyone nostalgic for a classic New York-style bagel — or any handmade tasty treat, for that matter.

In addition to Bagel Boss' monthly subscription option, customers can also opt for a one-time order of 13 bagels and other special packages, most of which include an assortment of traditional Jewish brunch foods, such as black and white cookies, cream cheese, babka, and, of course, lox. The costs for these special packages can range between $59.95 and $179.00.

With the online success of Bagel of the Month Club, Bagel Boss has come a long way since its humble origins in 1975. In addition to keeping up its subscription business, the chain plans to open two new stores in Manhattan in 2021 and expand its franchisee system to other states.

In the Bagel Boss family, people commonly refer to the chain as "the innovator, not the imitator." This mentality is what helped the chain launch products like the flagel, bagel chips, and a Hanukkah-themed bagel covered in chocolate ganache and dipped in gold flakes. According to Hazen, this spirit of innovation is what will spur the chain in its future accomplishments.

"We're leveraging our experience and our resources to really take this to the next level," he said.

What happens when you eat 16 Long Island bagels in one day

Consider it a "holey day." Feb. 9 is National Bagel Day, but if you forgot to celebrate this morning by stopping at your local bagel shop, why not end the day with the starchy treat. As I recently learned firsthand, bagels are more than just a breakfast food. They can also be lunch, dinner and even dessert, especially on Long Island, where bagel shops are plentiful and some never close their doors. In my search for the epitome of boiled and baked dough — the best bagel on Long Island -- I drove more than 150 miles and visited 16 different shops that span the South Shore. And, yes, I ate 16 different bagels along the way. I endured rain, snow and some queasiness from the countless calories I consumed in my pursuit. I tasted plain, and French toast bagels — and everything in between — and flavored cream cheeses that seemed like something out of a really good dream. (I'm looking at you, Nutella, and bacon scallion.) I set out to find the perfect bagel, but instead I learned a few lessons. And to save you the bellyaches and gas money, I'm passing those on.

What sets Magic Bagels apart from other bagel shops is the addition of magical ingredients. These special ingredients are said to give the bagels their unique flavors and make them addictive. Some customers claim that eating a Magic Bagel brings good luck or even grants wishes.

Long Islanders are spoiled.

Credit: Tara Conry

Crowning one bagel the best of Long Island was a difficult, perhaps impossible, task, because there were so many great ones. Plus, the variety — from sweet French toast to savory everything ones — makes it hard to compare. Throw in the wide assortment of cream cheeses, and picking just one favorite becomes pretty much futile. But Long Islanders, this is a really, really good problem to have, and one not to be taken for granted. One bagel shop owner says he regularly sees customers who come from upstate just to get Long Island bagels.

While this may just be superstition, it adds to the mystique and charm of the shop. The atmosphere at Magic Bagels is warm and welcoming. The staff is friendly and always ready to recommend their favorite bagel combinations. The shop is cozy, with comfortable seating for customers who wish to enjoy their bagels on-site. There is also a take-out option for those in a hurry. Magic Bagels has become a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. The shop has garnered rave reviews for its delicious bagels and magical ambiance. Many customers become loyal regulars, visiting the shop daily or weekly to satisfy their bagel cravings. Despite its small size, Hewlett has become a destination for bagel enthusiasts who seek out the magical experience provided by Magic Bagels. Whether you're a local or just passing through, a visit to Magic Bagels in Hewlett is sure to leave you enchanted and craving for more..

Reviews for "Decoding the Spells: Understanding the Magical Bagel Jargon in Hewlett"

1. John - 1 star - I had high hopes for Magic Bagels Hewlett, but I was extremely disappointed with their product. The bagels were dry and tasteless, lacking any flavor. They were also very small and overpriced. The service was also subpar, with long wait times and rude staff. Overall, I would not recommend Magic Bagels Hewlett to anyone looking for a satisfying bagel experience.

2. Sarah - 2 stars - I recently tried Magic Bagels Hewlett and was not impressed. The bagels were too doughy and undercooked, leaving a raw taste in my mouth. The spreads and toppings they offer were also lacking in flavor and variety. I found the prices to be on the higher side for the quality of the bagels. I would suggest trying other bagel places in the area before settling for Magic Bagels Hewlett.

3. Mike - 2 stars - I had heard good things about Magic Bagels Hewlett, but my experience was far from magical. The bagels were stale and lacked the freshness I was expecting. The staff was not attentive and lacked knowledge about their menu. The place was also quite crowded and the seating area was cramped. Overall, I was not impressed with the quality or service at Magic Bagels Hewlett.

4. Rebecca - 3 stars - While the bagels at Magic Bagels Hewlett were average in taste, the overall experience was underwhelming. The prices were on the higher side for the portion sizes and quality of ingredients. The service was slow and inefficient, with a lack of attention to detail. The atmosphere of the place was also not very welcoming. I would recommend trying other bagel shops in the area before considering Magic Bagels Hewlett.

The Allure of Magic Bagels: Why Hewlett Can't Get Enough