Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
H & H Bagels Has Filed For Chapter 11
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 18, 2011
Modified Feb 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 18, 2011
Modified Feb 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This has not been a good year for bagel emporium H & H Bagels. Last May owner Helmer Toro pleaded guilty to second degree grand larceny for pocketing $330,000 in payroll taxes and yesterday he went and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to avoid being locked out of its New Jersey manufacturing facilities. Well, technically its parent company, Garden Operation Realty LP, did the filing.
In court papers Toro explained that the company had been hit doubly by the downturn and a series of expensive lawsuits. "One lawsuit in particular, with its landlord in Secaucus, N.J., resulted in the appointment of a rent receiver who recently won a court order of possession that could have resulted in the 'imminent padlocking' of the space the company leases there."
That padlocking was the impetus behind the filing, as Chapter 11 halts all pending litigation and protects the company from creditors. All of which gives Toro and co. time to try and turn their fortunes around. And considering the value of their brand alone, we'd be surprised if they don't make it work.
Tagged
bagel
bankruptcy
chapter 11
h & h
h & h bagels
helmer toro
taxes
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .