New York City’s go-to bagel outlet Absolute Bagels has been a favourite among customers since its inception in the 1990s. However, it seemed to have met the untimely fate of closure after a ‘We are closed’ sign was seen hanging on the door on December 12, 2024.
The reason behind the permanent closure of the bagel is a rat infestation after the New York City Department of Health inspected the restaurant facility on December 11, 2024. Inspectors allegedly found roaches and rats after which the shop was ordered to be closed permanently.
On December 13, 2024, some of the Absolute Bagels employees were reportedly seen disposing of items from the shop to a nearby dumpster. One of the employees reportedly attributed the closure to ‘many problems’ citing the old age of the owner. The employee clarified that the owner decided to close the shop.
As per a report by West Side Rag, the news of the closure was confirmed by Rafe Evans, a broker. Having worked with the building’s ownership for decades, Evans initially rented the space to Absolute Bagels and its founder and owner, Samak Thongkrieng, 30 years ago.
He explained that with Thongkrieng leaving the space, it is now his responsibility to find a new tenant. Both he and the building’s owners agreed that another bagel store would be the ideal replacement.
The commercial space is expected to be listed soon, as potential bagel businesses have already expressed interest. Evans described the closure as unexpected and surprising.
Absolute Bagels followed a traditional system of business
The unique aspect of the bagel shop was that it functioned on the conventional business system as it neither had social media accounts nor a website. The transactions were carried out through cash and the shop never delivered food.
The closure has not only affected the local people but netizens too, as they poured in their reactions and memories about the shop.
“absolute bagels was one of the first places i went to when i moved to the upper west side; it was one of the first meals in my new apartment. i’m so sad and devastated that i did not get a chance to say goodbye to all my friends at this incredible institution,” a person posted on X.
“the worst part about absolute bagels closing is that i simply do not care about their 67 health code violations… give me an everything bagel or give me death!” a social media user shared.
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Situated near Columbia University on Broadway, the Absolute Bagels became a favorite for students and faculty. Known for its minimalist, old-school charm, the shop focused on hand-rolling kosher-certified bagels daily, standing out in a city crowded with bagel shops.
Its commitment to quality, affordable prices, and generous portions made it a go-to spot for everything from simple buttered bagels to loaded lox sandwiches. Sam Thongkrieng was inspired by his experience at Ess-a-Bagel, which helped him develop his own recipes to create bagels with a signature crust and chewy interior.
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