After serving bagels, sandwiches and wraps for 23 years, City Bagel, 511 University Dr., is set to close.
Owner Ty Thames, of Eat Local Starkville, confirmed the local restaurant will serve its last dish June 23.
“Closing is very heartbreaking on many levels,” Thames said in a message to The Dispatch. “… We sincerely thank those in the community who have supported us, despite the changes, construction, and challenges, and we look forward to continuing to be a part of this community we love.”
City Bagel was first opened in 1996 by the Tkach family. Thames purchased the business in 2016, in an effort to keep the restaurant in business.
“We made the decision to save City Bagel from closure over three years ago and have worked hard to keep City Bagel going,” Thames said.
In a statement from the restaurant, the cause for closure was due to “dramatic decline in sales” due to the mass construction on University Drive.
Some of the construction includes the Grand Junction condos, at 509 University Dr.
Thames also said the construction and renovations to apartments on University Drive created a “hassle” and limited customer parking.
“(Construction) took away street parking,” Thames said. “It became a really big hassle for our customers.”
He added with construction vehicles, workers and orange traffic cones, he noticed the decline within the past year.
“The significantly increased overhead, along with the dramatic decline in sales over the past 11 months since the beginning of construction on the surrounding property has proven too much to overcome with the razor thin margins of a scratch-made bagel concept,” the statement said. “This has been an incredibly difficult, but necessary decision. We will sincerely miss serving each and everyone of our guests and being a part of their day. Thank you to our great staff for their passion and dedication over the years.”
City Bagel will continue serving Starkville seven days a week from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. through its last day.
“It has been a gut-wrenching decision to close and obviously not one we wanted to have to make,” Thames said. “We have deep gratitude and respect for our staff and their commitment to us throughout this venture. … It has been a part of us for a very long time.”
Thames also owns Restaurant Tyler, Bin 612 and The Guest Room.
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