Our history dates back to 1972 when Detroit native Barry Greenblatt introduced fresh-baked bagels to northwest Ohio.
Barry and his partner, bagel-maker Peter Johnson, opened their first location in Sylvania. Barry and Peter called their business The Bagel Place and produced the first boiled then baked bagels in the area.
Before long, the menu included flavored cream cheeses, deli sandwiches, soups, and salads. However, the bagels—baked fresh daily throughout the day—made the location one of the area’s iconic eateries.
In 1979, Peter retired and eventually the store was renamed “Barry Bagels.”
Often involved in daily operations seven days a week, Barry Greenblatt became a familiar face to customers. He was known for his gracious personality, generosity in supporting his community, ethical business practices, and amusing stories.
Barry Bagels began expanding in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, our locations grew to include Ann Arbor, Maumee, and Perrysburg. We began franchising in 2014 and now have stores in four states as we continue to grow. We are incredibly proud that several of our employees have been with us for over 30 years, and one has worked here for more than 50 years.
Barry Greenblatt passed away on July 31, 2014. Barry’s legacy lives on in the brand bearing his name, as we continue serving the freshest bagels, the highest-quality meats and cheeses, his unique salad recipes, and his genuine kindness from stores that support their communities. His son, Mark Greenblatt, now runs the corporate-owned stores, and Jim Nusbaum is at the helm of the franchising group.