The morning of, our coffee cups still hadn’t arrived, and I found myself negotiating a small cash payment for 100 cups with the manager of a nearby Hilton Garden Inn before 7am. Once our guests arrived, our bagels took an hour longer to “plate” (common word in the bagel industry) than anticipated. People were hungry. Babies were crying. Elmington Bagel Company was a disaster!

Or was it?

No, it wasn’t. We adjusted. We pivoted. We flowed. We served bacon appetizers. Griffin Walker whipped up cappuccinos with grace and elegance. Those blessed with logistical problem solving abilities (Richard Thornton) took charge of the kitchen to smooth out the kinks. Head Baker Caroline Scanlon rolled with the punches to get the job done. To be clear, they are actually the best bagel sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life.

“Let’s just try it.”

The phrase is beautiful, because it takes into account some of life’s biggest realities: the possibility of failure, the unavoidability of imperfection, the need for grace. Turns out that everybody else is less worried than you are anyway.

We kept trying, and now we’re in two cities. I’ve lost count of what number we’re on. EBC has become a place anyone can show up to for excellent bagels, coffee, and vibes. Hope to see you soon.

The early days of EBC