Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Alas, H&H Bagels Are NOT Headed To Downtown Manhattan
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Aug 11, 2012
Modified Aug 11, 2012
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
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Aug 11, 2012
Modified Aug 11, 2012
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
And thus continues the tragic tale of H&H Bagels; though plans to bring the beloved bagel brand back to New York had reportedly been in the works, it was announced yesterday that the revival is no more, after a deal between a Long Island bagel shop proprietor and H&H's original owner fell through.
Randy Narod, who owns the Long Island Bagel Cafe chain, had apparently been in contact with H&H founder Helmer Toro about opening an H&H bagel shop on Fulton Street. Both the famed Upper West Side spot and 46th Street plant fell victim to Toro's slew of financial woes last year, and Narod proposed he combine his chain's menu with Toro's bagels at the new downtown location.
But Toro called off the partnership last month due to Narod's "shady" backdoor dealings and sneaky plan to patent the name "Original H&H Bagels" without Toro's permission, and sent Narod a cease-and-desist letter asking him to change the name of the store. And so, the H&H imposter is not to be—yesterday, Toro received a letter confirming that Narod's shop would in fact be called 125 Fulton Bagel Cafe, which doesn't have quite the same ring to it, now does it?
But fear not, bagel lovers! All hope of bringing H&H bagels back from the dead is not lost. Toro says he is in talks with other investors about reopening an H&H location elsewhere, though until then, the memory of those hot, fluffy, slightly moist rings of carbohydrate heaven will have to suffice.
Tagged
bagels
Fulton street
h&h
H&H bagels
hector toro
randy narod
Upper West Side
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
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
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
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 .