New Ess-A-Bagel Factory Opens In East Harlem

HARLEM, NY — Big news for uptown bagel lovers.

Ess-a-Bagel, lower Manhattan's beloved bagel heaven, has just opened its new, 7,500-square-foot manufacturing facility in East Harlem.

The new facility represents a big expansion for the family-owned business, which opened downtown in 1976.

Now, Ess-a-Bagel can scale up bagel production and sell their famously jumbo bagels wholesale across the country, its COO, Melanie Frost, said.

The bagel shop will also receive $450,000 in tax credit from Empire State Development to create 12 full-time jobs at the new factory for bakers, managers, production line workers, and more, with the potential to expand up to 41 jobs in total, an Empire State Development spokesperson said.

“We are thrilled to open our new manufacturing facility in Harlem, which represents a significant milestone in our company's history," Frost said. "This state-of-the-art facility will enable us to increase production and meet the growing demand for our authentic New York City bagels."

Ess-a-Bagel — which translates to "eat a bagel," in Yiddish, was opened on First Avenue downtown in 1976 by Florence and Gene Wilpon along with Florence's brother Aaron Wenzelberg.

Routinely on top bagel lists in New York City, Ess-a-Bagel expanded to Midtown in 1992 and then opened another location near Penn Station and a Brooklyn location in 2021.

This new manufacturing facility represents the company's first uptown expansion.

"This expansion not only solidifies Ess-A-Bagel's position as a beloved New York City institution but also brings 12 new full-time jobs to our community, with the potential for 41 more," Assemblymember Edward Gibbs, who represents East Harlem and Randall's Island as well as parts of the Upper East Side, and central Harlem, said.

"This investment is a testament to the power of community-driven economic development, where local businesses are empowered to grow and thrive while remaining true to their roots."

The new factory is located at 1751 Park Ave.

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