The PopUp Bagels story is popping up everywhere.
Most recently, the business — founded right here in Westport during COVID by Adam Goldberg, as a lark — was the subject of a long, reverential story in New York magazine.
Calling PopUp Bagels “a burgeoning nationwide phenomenon,” the piece notes that no other chain
has blasted off with the velocity of PopUp, which now includes more than 40 shops (and counting), from New York to South Florida to Nashville, with franchise agreements signed for 300 more.
This spring, the business sold a stake to investment firm Tiger Global Management — following earlier money from the growth-equity fund Stripes and a roster of celebrity investors that includes the former NFL star J.J. Watt and the actor Paul Rudd — at a valuation of $300 million.
“My number-one goal,” Goldberg (said) recently, “is to get the best bagel possible everywhere in the world, starting with America.”
The story warns though of the dangers ahead, as PopUp bagels grows far beyond its origins.
Goldberg, who ran a flood mitigation business, came up with the idea during the pandemic, when he baked sourdough in the morning and drank wine in the afternoon.
Before long, the magazine says, “he hired a friend’s son and other teenagers to show up and bake at 4 in the morning — high-schoolers in pajamas or still dressed from the night before, drawn by loud music and a party atmosphere.
“The crew would knock out over a thousand bagels on a Saturday, sold from Goldberg’s kitchen window by the dozen with two cream cheeses.”
But what does the future hold? To read the full story, click here. (Hat tip: Hannah Redman)
A PopUp bagel, with schmear. (Photo/Jacob Moscovitch and Vivie Behrens for New York magazine)
Meanwhile, in other PopUp Bagels news: One of its newest locations is Charleston, South Carolina.
Longtime Westport resident Seth Schachter was in the city, and “popped” in for a visit.
Seth Schachter and PopUp Bagels, 800 miles from their homes.
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Speaking of food: Choupette has served its last crêpes.
The Bedford Square restaurant — the third in Connecticut, after New Haven and Darien — closed this week. It opened in October 2024.
Choupette (Photo/Sal Liccione)
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A concerned reader emailed “06880.” The osprey nest at Fresh Market was empty, he thought.
We contacted Carolyn Doan, Westport’s osprey expert. She headed to the parking lot, and reports:
“There was a lot of activity today! Both raptors were in the nest, relaxing in the sun. A few moments later they were visited by a third osprey, vying for the attention of the female. It was quickly chased away by the male after 2 low flying swoops.
“The couple then engaged in mating attempts, and relaxed some more in the sun. Mother Nature never disappoints.”
In between mating attempts. (Photo/Carolyn Doan)
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A special free tennis festival — with everything from lessons, contests and a book signing — is set for tomorrow at Longshore (Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m.).
The afternoon includes instruction for adults and youngsters; fast-serve and hitting prizes, adult and junior point play (sign up: 203-520-9815), and a raffle.
Former professional player Sophie Amiach — who was a commentator at the recent Roland-Garros French Open — will present her new book “Tennis Smart & Simple: For Players and Coaches of All Levels and Ages.”
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Speaking of sports: The Westport Road Runners Summer Series has been running (ho ho) for 63 years.
For 61 years, it’s been directed by Laddie Lawrence.
That makes him the longest-serving race director in the world.
Don’t take my word for it. Check out this list compiled by Road Race Management.
That accomplishment by Lawrence — who is better known for his more-than-legendary 58-year career as Staples High School’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track coach — was the hook for a story in the Hartford Courant. It was reposted by Yahoo Sports (click here to read).
“I like doing it,” Lawrence — now 80 years old — says, about the road race series that has attracted everyone from a Boston Marathon winner to 88-year-old Westporter Norma Minkowitz, the world record holder in the mile (9:56) in her 85-89-year-old age group.
“I love the sport. I think it’s a good way for me to contribute. I like being around it. For the most part, it keeps me young – although I’m losing that battle.” (Hat tip: Richard Fogel)
Laddie Lawrence in 2019, when the Board of Education voted unanimously to name the Staples track in his honor. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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Speaking still of sports: Wednesday’s Roundup gave an incorrect date for the upcoming polo exhibition at the Fairfield County Hunt Club
The correct date is Saturday, July 25. Gates open at 11 a.m.
In addition to matches, there are vendors, food and drinks. For more information, email HuntClubPolo@gmail.com.
Polo comes to Westport.
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The Script in Hand play-reading series is one Westport Country Playhouse’s most popular offerings. Men and women regularly pack the historic theater, for inexpensive but compelling evenings of intriguing works.
Now there’s a junior version.
A staged reading of “Peter Pan” — the timeless tale of imagination, bravery, and the wonder of never growing up — is set for the Lucille Lortel White Barn on Saturday, July 18 (2 p.m.).
The cast include young actors from local middle and high schools: Alice DiMenna, Audrey Cook, Jayden Santos, Bridget Brennan, Cathy O’Toole, Colin Chudd, Gemma Wiener, Jack Fibiger, Jasper Leven, Joey Vazquez, Lua Gaspar, Maël Chevrier and Ryan Duffy.
Running time is approximately 1 hour. Recommended for age 8 and up. For tickets and more information, click here.
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Amy Schneider spotted a small group doing some of research yesterday, at Compo’s South Beach.
She learned they were from the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, taking measurements and readings of sport fish and seaweed. They do it 3 times a year, from Greenwich to Stonington.
DEEP biologists, on Compo’s South Beach.
The scientists showed Amy a variety of fish like windowpane flounder, which they scooped up from shore in big nets.
They taught her how to determine the sex of a horseshoe crab (hint: check their legs), and showed her pipefish, hermit crabs and a tiny pufferfish (DEEP’s first on this trip). It was too tiny to photograph, but the biologist let her see it puffer when he reduced the water in his hand.
Amy says, “I had no idea about the variety of marine life we encounter when we dip our toes in the water. I’m grateful they allowed me to ask questions and take photos.”
Windowpane flounder (Photos/Amy Schneider)
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Speaking of water: A main break yesterday on Bermuda Road was more than just an inconvenience (low water pressure; no or discolored water) to neighbors on Saugatuck Shores.
Sheri Gordon reports: “Aquarion said around 6 p.m. that it would take another 6-8 hours to restore service.
“It’s a big deal if you live here, because it’s really the only way in or out. We can in a pinch take Marsh Road, but it’s not supposed to be a through road. It is not paved, and floods regularly.”
Bermuda Road water main break. (Photo/Sheri Gordon)
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Amy Schneider had an interesting chat with state environmental scientists yesterday at Compo Beach. She learned a lot about fish (story above).
The next time DEEP comes to town, perhaps they’ll turn their attention to land — and these guys.
We’ve featured them before in this “Westport … Naturally” series. But we’re really not fans.
(Photo/John Maloney)
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And finally …Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer who had a #1 hit with “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” died Wednesday in Portugal. She was 75, and had undergone emergency intestinal surgery. Click here for a full obituary.
(From bagels and crépes, to polo ponies and flounder, “06880” covers all of Westport. And we do it 24/7/365. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
