Bagel Palace Closes

One of Atlanta’s most popular independent bagel shops has closed, although it might not be gone forever.

Bagel Palace ended its 25-year run in the Toco Hill Shopping Center at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20. The eatery was packed with customers seeking a final dozen bagels after the owners announced the closure in a Facebook post at 8:22 p.m. Saturday, just before the start of Shavuot. That post drew nearly 1,000 reactions and more than 400 comments in the next 30 hours.

“We never thought it would end this way when we began a new episode in our lives upon moving to Atlanta, 25 years ago,” Bagel Palace’s owners wrote. “With the current rent, under the new landlord, it was impossible to stay.”

Edens has managed the shopping center since signing a 35-year lease in late 2015, Tomorrow’s News Today reported.

Bagel Palace has faced increased competition for the breakfast crowd in recent years, with Goldberg’s opening at the other end of the sprawling, two-shopping-center complex at LaVista and North Druid Hills roads and Spiller Park Coffee opening nearby.

As our Better Know a Bagel review noted in December, Bagel Palace maintained a 1990s feel that fit well with its classic New York bagels and made-in-house cream cheese spreads but also appeared dated amid the renovations carried out by Edens.

It was the consistency and the New York feel that kept customers coming back, according to the Facebook comments, even though it was not kosher in an increasingly Orthodox community.

The owners told fans in the comments that they are “looking very close by” for a new location.

“We have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people that have come through our doors,” Bagel Palace’s Sue and Joe and Robin and Manny posted. “So many of you have become our friends and family and shared many important events in our lives as we’ve shared yours.”