Bay Area bagel enthusiasts rejoice as the long-awaited Hella Bagels opens its doors permanently in Albany. After gaining a loyal following through pop-ups and delivery, the artisanal bagel shop sets down roots at 1019 San Pablo Ave. starting Wednesday, March 6. Local entrepreneur Blake Hunter ramps up his home kitchen operation into a full-fledged bakery, providing New York-inspired bagels with a twist and an array of unique schmears and toppings.
The buzz around Hella Bagels' upcoming brick-and-mortar location has been growing, bolstered by an announcement on Instagram. "WE DID IT!" proclaimed Hunter on Hella Bagels' Instagram, adding that the opening marks a change in voice for the company. "Going forward, Hella Bagels will be known for the work done by our incredible team," Hunter stated, emphasizing the brand's community impact and collective effort. The new shop will fire up the ovens at 8 am for their grand opening and settle into regular hours from 7:30 am Wednesday through Sunday.
This latest venture offers the Bay Area breakfast heaven with everything from traditional poppy seed bagels to more adventurous options like the Dr. Greenthumb bagel, featuring fresh greens, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon zest atop a warm bagel. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, sandwich options like the Lox Tycoon will satisfy those craving the classic lox and bagel combo. Menu additions will continue to roll out like special-edition sneaker drops.
Keeping things fresh and local, Hunter has teased past favorites and innovative newcomers set to hit the menu, including a Cadbury creme egg schmear around Easter and a weekly new sandwich. Customers will also be welcomed by a minimalist-designed space adorned with an off-white bagel mural and houseplants from friends, which houses a kitchen capable of producing up to 1,200 bagels per day. To top it off, Hella Bagels offers an exclusive view into the bagel-making process with large windows into the kitchen, a touch inspired by kitchens like those at Krispy Kreme.
Despite its expansion, Hella Bagels is sticking to a direct-to-consumer model, purposefully avoiding wholesale to protect the brand's integrity and customer experience. "My intention is to have an experience here rather than find my bagels anywhere," Hunter emphasized, aiming to create a signature destination for bagel aficionados.
