UWS Lenny's Bagels Set To Close After More Than 2 Decades

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Lenny's Bagels, which has served customers on the Upper West Side for 23 years, had its final day of business on Thursday.

The longtime spot at 2601 Broadway, the corner of West 98th Street, served up bagels, lox, breakfast sandwiches, coffees, pastries, chicken salad and more.

"We bid farewell to you and this Upper West Side neighborhood with many fond memories of loyal customers, shared conversations, and good coffee and homemade bagels, which we hope you savored with friends and family," a letter to customers posted on Lenny's door read.

"We are grateful for your unwavering support, and it is our sincerest wish that you all enjoy happy, healthy lives for years to come," it added.

Linda Choi, the business' owner, told ILoveTheUpperWestSide, which was the first publication to report the closing, that they had tried to keep the store open but the rent became too much.

The Lenny's Bagels closure comes one month after Regional, a popular Italian eatery on the same Upper West Side block, also announced it would be closing after more than 15 years at the location.

Two of the three storefronts between Lenny's Bagels and Regional on the west side of 98th Street and Broadway are also vacant.

The clothing store Variazioni closed in 2022, and the storefront directly next to Lenny's has been empty since at least 2016, according to Google Map imagery.

"Best bagels on the Upper West Side!" one Google Reviewer wrote in a five-star review of Lenny's. "We’ve been eating here for more than 15 years - including a years-long stretch where our kids insisted on a Sunday morning visit for their faves every week."