Living away from home, it's always nice to find something that reminds you of it. A department store, a landmark, even a certain food can ignite fond memories of home. College students, feel the need to find things that momentarily connect them back with their roots while away from home.These things feel like heartwarming treasures, precious and priceless. New Jersey residents can find their own treasure in Pennsylvania, if they go to a delightful little bagel shop called Bloomin' Bagels.
Bloomin' Bagels, a bagel shop located on 65 East Main Street, only a 12 minute walk from the Bloomsburg campus, is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Forget Cracker Barrel or Dennys, because many students at Bloomsburg University have put Bloomin' Bagels at the top of their list, when it comes to their favorite breakfast location. All their talk is mainly centered around the delectable breakfast sandwiches. As the ones served at the campus dining hall, made with microwaved english muffins, are not the most appetizing. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and the thought of breakfast sandwiches, with actual bagels, could fill a person with an exciting desire to not skip breakfast. So, it's time to go down there and see what all the fuss was all about.
Before you enter the brick building accentuated with green, a quick glance at the gold lettering above your head, informs you that you have arrived at the correct place. Tug open the door, to greet the aroma of fresh bagels, hit you like a ton of bricks. It feels as if the scent was a magnet drawing you in, closer and closer to the order station. The sound of sizzles from a frying pan of bacon, compete with the noisy chatter and laughter of college students. Waiting on the line felt like a century watching, customer after customer walk off with mouth watering sandwiches and steamy, fresh bagels, coated with velvety cream cheeses. Finally the last person in front has gone, and the time to make a breakfast decision, is now. The words 'taylor ham', written boldy on a white board, on the back wall, may spark many non-Jerseyans' interest. Taylor ham on breakfast sandwiches always was an immensely popular delicacy in New Jersey. Any person from New Jersey, missing home would automatically know what to order. Glancing around you noticed only a table or two left available to sit down at, which could be expected since brunch time on Saturdays, was their busiest time. The light poured in from the glass windows which gave the room a cozy feeling. While looking around, an open cinnamon colored table and chair set in the corner of the store invitingly seemed to call out and say, 'come sit here'. When the breakfast sandwich arrived, the plate was quickly grabbed and taken to the comfortable looking spot in the corner. With your mouth filled up with saliva, then a monstrous bite, you closed your eyes and it felt as if you were back home in New Jersey. After a few bites, it is wondered how the taylor ham breakfast sandwich made its way to Pennsylvania.
"The owner of Bloomin' Bagels is actually from New Jersey. He had a bagel shop there and decided to bring the delicacy to Pennsylvania so he opened this place up," exclaimed Kristin McCollough.
Kristin wore a stained apron and visible underneath her fuchsia glasses, a tired expression, which revealed her busy morning. Kristin still greeted every single customer with a cheerful grin. She had worked at Bloomin' Bagels for almost 4 months now. Her job includes prepping orders, making the cream cheeses and salads, working the grill and cleaning. She revealed that the business had been running for over 20 years, serving not only bagels; but sandwiches, pasta and potato salads, cream cheeses and so much more. "Most of the customers though, enjoy the everything bagel breakfast sandwich with taylor ham, egg and cheese," added Kristin. All of the students who gave outstanding review on this place and their delicious foods, seemed quite accurate. Who knew this little shop would have a connection in store for someone who lived in New Jersey.
Kristin wore a stained apron and visible underneath her fuchsia glasses, a tired expression, which revealed her busy morning. Kristin still greeted every single customer with a cheerful grin. She had worked at Bloomin' Bagels for almost 4 months now. Her job includes prepping orders, making the cream cheeses and salads, working the grill and cleaning. She revealed that the business had been running for over 20 years, serving not only bagels; but sandwiches, pasta and potato salads, cream cheeses and so much more. "Most of the customers though, enjoy the everything bagel breakfast sandwich with taylor ham, egg and cheese," added Kristin. All of the students who gave outstanding review on this place and their delicious foods, seemed quite accurate. Who knew this little shop would have a connection in store for someone who lived in New Jersey.
This 'little business' wasn't so little after all though, because there is actually a Bloomin' Bagels II that is open, as well."We are different from businesses such as Dunkin Donuts. We make all of our food from scratch, including the bagels and are very lenient towards what the customer wants.We also gut, or take the bread out to make more room for more fillings, which is something many non-regulars don't know," adds Kristin. The business seemed to be bustling with lots of regulars.
At one point during the home away from home experience, a man with short white hair strolled in with his cane stomping on the floor. Before he even got to the front a girl exclaimed, "Hello Mr. Peters how are you, will it be your usual?", and the rest of the staff began chatting with him as well. It was as if Mr. Peters was an old friend returning from a long journey, to his home, Bloomin' Bagels. That morning his eyes squinted and beaming from Mr. Peters, after his greeting, shone the biggest smile, brighter than the sun's glow.
At one point during the home away from home experience, a man with short white hair strolled in with his cane stomping on the floor. Before he even got to the front a girl exclaimed, "Hello Mr. Peters how are you, will it be your usual?", and the rest of the staff began chatting with him as well. It was as if Mr. Peters was an old friend returning from a long journey, to his home, Bloomin' Bagels. That morning his eyes squinted and beaming from Mr. Peters, after his greeting, shone the biggest smile, brighter than the sun's glow.
Before you leave, take in every aspect of the cozy bagel shop. A couple sharing a juice with the same straw at one table. An energetic family with little children with cream cheese all over their mouths, at another. Walking past this shop, at the corner of the quiet street, a person would not expect inside, a treasure not only to the New Jersey residents craving the taylor ham, but to anyone in the mood for a delightful breakfast, in such a homey atmosphere. Headed towards the door, the workers called out, "Have a great day and come back soon!" So if you are tired of the same bowl of Cheerios every morning and miss real breakfast foods like the ones you can get at home, Bloomin' Bagels is the place for you. Going in, you may just see another bagel/sandwich shop, but who knows, maybe you too will experience your little taste of home.
If you don't believe me, check out the great yelp.com reviews!
Here is the menu and hours of operation.
Here is the menu and hours of operation.
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