East Village bagel lovers will have to say farewell to a beloved local staple this weekend. Black Seed Bagels, known for its unique blend of Montreal-meets-New York style bagels, is shutting down its 176 First Avenue location after nearly a decade in business. The final day of operation for this branch will be on Sunday, as reported by Eater New York.
Co-owner Matt Kliegman remarked that the decision to close was a result of the lease ending, coupled with the company's reduced need for such a sizable space. This particular storefront is twice the size of other Black Seed Bagels locations, which made it less ideal for continued operation. According to a report by EV Grieve, Kliegman is an NYU alum who has resided in the East Village for thirteen years, indicated that part of doing business is being "comfortable closing them at some point."
Despite the closure, the future for Black Seed's workers seems secure. Kliegman stated that all staff from the East Village outpost will retain their jobs and will be reassigned to one of the brand's nine other locations across the city. Prospects for employment are further buoyed by the announcement of a new opening in Long Island City set for next month.
The space at 176 First Avenue holds a nostalgic legacy, having once been the Italian bakery De Robertis, before Black Seed took over operations. The co-owners have maintained relations with the De Robertis family, attending the opening of their new bakery in New Jersey. Kliegman, who has a love for "older buildings with character," also noted the preservation of the iconic DeRobertis neon sign on a residential roof deck of the same address. An East Village local described the impending closure to EV Grieve as "a real loss," lamenting the disappearance of what was not only a place to get a bagel but also a community staple that played decent '90s music and provided a spot to relax.
While the East Village location is saying goodbye, Kliegman hinted at a possible return to the neighborhood, perhaps in a smaller format store. He expressed a fondness for the area and optimism for a future presence by stating, "I love the area. And you know, I wouldn't be surprised if at some point we just find a smaller format store in maybe a different part of the neighborhood," as he told EV Grieve. For now, fans of the wood-fired bagels can continue to patronize the original Black Seed location on Elizabeth Street and the brand's other outlets spread throughout the city.
