Schmear one day, gone the next: Store’s everything bagel somehow…lost something

BY ALEC PRUCHNICKI | Hudson Bagels at 82 Christopher St. was one of the survivors that made it through COVID. It was doing well and even had a brief conflict last summer with another bagel shop, initially called Hudson’s Bagels, but now Sofia’s Bagels nearby on Hudson. I recently noticed that it was closing for “remodeling,” which is often a precursor to permanent closure.

Sure enough, the phone number was no longer working, no construction was visible inside and mail was piled up behind the door. Jay, who works at Janie’s Life Changing Baked Goods next door, confirmed that nothing was happening — no activity. She mentioned that there was some work months ago but nothing recently.

How did a COVID survivor finally close? I used to go there every weekend for an everything bagel with cream cheese. But many months ago, I noticed that the quality of the bagels was declining, at least according to my taste buds. The bagel itself tasted different, the topping was skimpier and the cream cheese was a little less, a mortal sin for bagel lovers. This is only one person’s opinion and one person’s palate so maybe I’m wrong, but that’s the way it tasted and that’s why I just went someplace else for BEC sandwiches instead.

Meanwhile, Sofia’s Bagels was thriving. There were often lines and filled tables on the sidewalk in front. Their bagels where heavier, tastier and more substantial, although more expensive.

So, is there a lesson here? I think people in the West Village will pay for what is perceived as quality, or sometimes trendy, rather than have something that is less than our high standards require. We are so fussy, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of two little bagel shops don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. (I love stealing lines from Humphrey Bogart movies).

A comparison of two stores doesn’t make for a very scientific sample, especially when it depends on one person’s taste. Maybe others can chime in on this particular episode along with the expectations of West Villagers when it comes to taste. Maybe we can keep a few more small businesses open longer so that they don’t have to close for “remodeling.”