Bagels no more

11/10/2009
By Jordan Doffing
Staff Writer

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The fallout of the Great Recession has struck again as a local bagel shop has been closed down. 

Big Apple Bagel on Belknap St. in Superior recently closed its doors to customers for good as the store wasn’t turning much of a profit any more.

“The only thing we were told was that after paying for the name of the company and payroll and supplies there was no money left,” said employee Tara Tyykila. “The owners weren’t turning over any sort of profit.” 

Tyykila has been working at Big Apple Bagel as her primary source of income, and now that the store closed down on November 8, she is without a job. 

“For a lot of us, this was our primary job,” Tyykila said. “I’ve just been applying at places I wouldn’t mind working at. It’s all I can do.” 

Big Apple Bagel has not only been a source of good bagel sandwiches but of good coffee as well. 

“It’s the only good place to get coffee; there are no other shops in town” said Chantel Raivala, who frequents Big Apple Bagel. “Every single day after class I come here to do homework. Now I can’t even concentrate because I’m so sad that this place is closing”. 

Big Apple Bagel was known for being a relaxing place to hang out and get good food and coffee while receiving good customer service.  

“We downsized the staff a few weeks before we were told about the closing,” commented Tyykila, “so who was left was dedicated to working here.” 

The recent downsizing of employees was due to the large staff on hand and the difficulty to work around everyone’s schedules. The employees were given the option to stay or find other employment if they so wished to do so. It was soon after that the remaining employees were told Big Apple Bagel would be closing. 

Being the last remaining deli that specialized in bagel sandwiches, it’s hard to say whether or not a new bagel shop will arise as there used to be several in the area. 

“I am going to miss this place,” said Raivala. “Where am I going to go after class now?”