Meet the Owner: Angela and James Geritano of Catskill Bagel Company

Stepping into Catskill Bagel Company feels like you're stepping into a home. Patrons and employees exchange greetings as though they've known each other for years, and people feel comfortable enough to take their time and enjoy their meal from a selection of choices which seems never-ending. 

At the heart of it all are the Catskill Bagel Company's owners, sister and brother Angela and James Geritano.

Why Mess With a Good Thing?

Lifelong Brooklynites, the siblings have owned a bagel store in Carroll Gardens for 20 years, and extended their operation to a second location in Ditmas Park two years ago, which Angela said was one of the best decisions they have ever made.  

"We've been in the bagel business for a long time, we have the experience with bagels," she said. "[Ditmas Park] needed a good bagel shop, but it's more than that. You can sit down and there's a lot of things to choose from."

Geritano prides herself on the homey feeling her business gives people, noting that was why she got into this business in the first place.

"We know our customers by name, the same people come in here all the time," she said as she greeted her patrons by name, chatting with them about everything from the recent Yankees game and the change in the weather. "We want that homey feeling."

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The Catskills... in Brooklyn?

In addition to creating a homey feel, Geritano made sure her shop lived up to its name. Pictures from Upstate New York line the store, old New York license plates are adorned on the walls, and antique doors are used as chalk boards to display specials, giving the place that rustic and warm feeling usually associated with a cabin in the woods.

Geritano credited fellow Ditmas Park business owner Jimmy Mammary, owner of Ox Cart Tavern, for the name and look of her shop.

"We own another business with Jimmy, a seasonal beer and wine garden, and we were sitting in the office of the other store trying to think of names for this place when Jimmy threw 'Catskill Bagel Company' out there," she said. "We liked it, so went with the whole theme!"

Slow and Steady (and Fresh and Cheap) Wins the Race

Though the name brings bagels to mind, Geritano said there's much more to the shop, and noted the wide selection of items on the menu, plus the option of breakfast at any time of the day, is a big draw.  

"People like the chicken cordon bleu sandwich, the Catskill mountain chop salad, the Irish oatmeal ... it's a lot more than just bagels," she said. "We try to keep everything reasonable [in price], and fresh. You might have to wait a little longer, but it's freshly made when you order."

Geritano said the shop's mom and pop feel also extends to its prices. 

"You can sit down and have a great sandwich and drink for under $10," she said. "It's not fast food, but it's not a sit down restaurant where you have to tip your waitress. You can also order online on Seamless and have it delivered to you. We're more concerned about our customers' enjoyment. I like to hear that people are enjoying their meal. I enjoy doing this and hope to be around Ditmas Park for a long time."