After living in Cypress for 12 years, New Jersey native Jackie Yates said a longstanding tradition of driving into downtown Houston with her husband, Cory, every Saturday for bagels gave her the idea to open a bagel business of their own.
Maryland native Cory jumped headfirst into the world of bagels, spending months researching, experimenting with recipes and having his family taste-test his creations. In March, the two started selling them out of their home under the name Jersey Bagels.
Cory credits his success to his wife, an accountant who helps run the business.
“The thing I like best—knowing how long I was out here without a good bagel—is having a New Yorker or someone from New Jersey eat one of our bagels and say, ‘I haven’t had this in so long,’” Jackie said. “Because I know that feeling. It takes you back to being at home.”
Traditional New York bagels are heavy, dense and chewy, but because New Jersey bagels are hand-rolled, they are lighter and fluffier on the inside while maintaining the chewiness, Cory said.
The menu at Jersey Bagels features more than a dozen varieties such as blueberry, cinnamon raisin, pumpernickel, cranberry, jalapeno and wheat oat for $8 per half dozen and $14 per dozen. More colorful options such as Rainbow and Cookie Monster are also on the menu for $12 per half dozen and $18 per dozen. Topping options include everything, sesame, garlic, poppyseed, onion, salt, Fruity Pebbles and cinnamon crunch.
Customers can place orders via phone, email or Facebook. Most orders are pickup, but delivery services are also available. Cory said the couple is working toward opening a storefront in Cypress to serve customers more conveniently and have more space for creativity.
“My vision for a store is somewhere people can come get a good bagel, a good bagel sandwich, a good cup of coffee—where they feel comfortable and can have a good conversation,” he said. “Food always brings people together, and I’ve always loved that aspect about it.”
On a typical morning, Cory wakes up around 4 a.m., turns on the kitchen equipment and lets the dough rest before boiling and baking about 120 bagels—a process that takes until around noon—all while serving and interacting with customers. After letting the kitchen cool off, cleaning up and restocking supplies, he starts prepping for the next day until around 7 p.m.
Cory said he hopes to use the business to give back to the community by donating to schools, first responders and those in need.
“Bagels are just the avenue to help other people,” he said. “We’re not doing this for us. Of course, we want to make sure that we’re OK on our end, but anything extra—I just want to help out the community.”
Jersey Bagels 15526 Fir Woods Lane, Cypress 570-850-5030 www.facebook.com/jerseybagels Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily
