by Bea Peterson
The bagel shop on John St. in Hoosick Falls is open again. Pam Jelly-McGarvin and Rick Cuddihy have rearranged the preparation and display space, added tables, put curtains in the windows and decorations on the wall. A new fixture in the place is “Miss Ashley,” a carry-over fabric figure from Pam’s past business on Main St. called… Miss Ashley’s. The Cafe opened on Tuesday, January 20, and they have been busy ever since.
When Pam and Rick saw the space was available, they decided it was the right time and the right place. “This is a beautiful building and an attractive spot already,” said Rick. “We want to keep it that way.” He’s looking forward to the good weather when he can put the cafe tables outside. He believes the future of Hoosick Falls will be in small businesses.
“I’ve done cooking all my life,” said Pam. “And I love to bake. Homemade soups are hard to find. My kids were raised on my soups and stews.” She has soup specials every day. They carry a large selection of homemade pastries that Pam makes daily. On Wednesday two of the pastries were raspberry-lemon squares and blueberry turnovers. The fresh baked five ounce NY bagels they make are a little more expensive, she said, “But they are worth it.”
Rick has a lot of experience in the food business. He worked for Grand Union for 37 years. He was manager of the Hoosick Falls store for two years before he retired. Both of them enjoy being with people. Pam also works for At Home Realty, a job she loves and will not be giving up.
Breakfast And Lunch
The Bagel & Brew Cafe breakfast menu has a variety of egg selections, including a wrap, French toast and bagels. Lunch includes soup of the day, sandwiches, wraps and salads. For those who know just what they want, there is the “build your own sandwich” option.
Several menu items or sections are named for Pam and Rick’s grandchildren. There’s the Chayla Kiddie Corner breakfast and lunch section, the Ashley breakfast sandwich, the Whitney grilled cheese sticks with applesauce, Tugger’s tuna salad, Matty’s peanut butter and jelly french toast, Seth’s daily specials and Brody’s bake shop.
“It’s a family affair,” said Pam. “We tried to think of everybody. Without my family we couldn’t have done it.” Her son Ryan is a chef, and he dictated how the kitchen and work area should be laid out. Then her son Chad, a contractor, put it all together according to Ryan’s specifications. Her daughter Jodi and granddaughter Ashley both help behind the counter.
Rick and Pam feel their business will be an asset to the community. “The community has been so supportive!” said Pam. “They have been so great!” On Sunday, she said, they were busy all morning. “We hadn’t advertised at all. We wanted a soft opening to work out the bugs.” This Sunday they hope to be better prepared.
Bagel & Brew Cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm, Sunday from 8 am to noon and closed Monday. To order items to go, call 686-4627.