Manhattan Bagel Holds Grand Opening In Southampton

UPPER SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Ross Gelman is quoting actor Luke Wilson's remark in the movie "Armageddon" when he is strapped to a rocket.

"I'm 98 percent excited and 2 percent scared or reverse that," Gelman told Patch Tuesday.

The reason for Gelman's bundle of nerves is that he is holding a grand opening and ribbon-cutting of his fourth Manhattan Bagel franchise Wednesday morning.

Festivities at the former Starbucks site at 707 Street Rd. in Southampton begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday with the first 100 customers getting free breakfast for a year, Gelman said.

Other giveaways include a prize wheel of T-shirts, hats, and free coffee and breakfast sandwiches. And Gelman said that 92.5 FM XTU will be on hand around 10 a.m. to raffle off 10 tickets for an upcoming Luke Bryan concert.

"I'm pretty excited," said Gelman about opening his fourth Manhattan Bagel franchise. "It's going to feel electric."

Manhattan Bagel has been in business since 1987 and Gelman operates three other locations: Richboro and North Wales and Willow Grove in Montgomery County.

The franchise focuses on authentic NYC-style bagels with next-door-neighbor service.

Gelman said that the bagels are made fresh every day and that eggs come from the grill. There are also deli sandwiches, sweets, and coffee, including expresso.

He employs eight people and the bagel shop has been open for four months, preparing for the grand opening.

"We wanted to get comfortable," Gelman said. "It's good. It's a new business and it's alive. But we always wish for better performance. It's hard to change people's tendencies about breakfast places. We're fighting for every customer. It takes time, but we're inching up."