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food + drink
Beyond the Bagel, located at 219 Bellevue Avenue in Montclair, closed for the final time on Sunday, September 13th, according to a report from Montclair Local. The bagel shop sold bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and more to Montclair residents for at least 30 years. Owner Tina Ganan, who has owned the shop for 20 years and worked there for 10 years prior, told the news outlet that finances were stretched too thin for the long-time eatery to continue operating. The bagel shop is one in a string of recent restaurant closures in Montclair. Here’s what we know about Beyond the Bagel’s closure in Montclair.
About Beyond the Bagel
According to the restaurant’s menu, it sold bagels, breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, sandwiches, smoothies, and coffee. It also expanded to serve pizza at the beginning of this year. But for Tina, the shop became about much more than food. Over three decades, she watched generations of Montclair residents grow up.
Read More: A Bagel Shop with a CYO Cream Cheese Bar is Now Open in Montclair
“I’m in disbelief right now. I’m devastated because I’ve been here so long,” Tina told the Montclair Local. “It’s hard not making enough to make ends meet. The rents are too high. Everything goes up. That’s why I’m closing.”
Tina told Montclair Local that she had tried to negotiate with her landlord, but was unsuccessful. She also told the publication that she would have to declare bankruptcy following the closure. According to property tax records, the landlord of the property is listed as Pech Realty Co LLC, with an address in Ridgewood.
Representatives from Beyond the Bagel did not respond to requests for comment from The Montclair Girl.
Montclair’s bagel scene has grown increasingly competitive in recent years. In addition to longtime staples like Hot Bagels Abroad and Sunrise Bagels, new kid on the block O’Bagel opened on Bloomfield Avenue in September 2025, and Bagel Supreme opened its 13th location inside Lackawanna Station in June.
In addition to increased competition, prices have also gone up. According to the August consumer price index for New York-Newark-Jersey City, food prices rose 3.3%over the past year. The index for all items except food and energy also increased by nearly 4% in the same time period.
See More: The Best Bagels in Hoboken, Sorted By Your Bagel Cravings
Other Closures in Montclair
Beyond the Bagel isn’t the first business to close its doors in Montclair recently, as the town saw several longtime businesses close their doors this summer. Urban Outfitters, located at 20 S. Park Street, permanently closed on July 23 after years in downtown Montclair, though the company has not publicly given a reason for the closure. Meanwhile, chef Natalie Lee announced the closure of Plum Bakery and Mikki + Al’s Noshery at 179 Glenridge Avenue as she retires after more than 40 years in professional kitchens. Plum Bakery opened in 2015 and became a longtime favorite among gluten-free diners, while Mikki + Al’s, which opened in 2020, was known for Jewish comfort food and hearty sandwiches. Walnut Street Kitchen at 98 Walnut Street also closed at the end of July after four years in business, along with the recently opened 3rd Joint Slice Shop + Bakery. Owner Beverly Lacsina cited the current economy, changing consumer habits, and ongoing workforce challenges as factors in the decision.
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