
When former Amelia’s baker Josh Greeson couldn’t keep up with the demand for the bagels he was producing for delivery, he started looking for a brick-and-mortar location. He settled on a prime spot at the corner of East 10th and Dorman streets in Cottage Home for a reason.
“I had many customers in the Cottage Home neighborhood who were delivery regulars, and even more who contributed to the Kickstarter,” he said, adding, “I am very grateful for the community support. I wanted to be in a neighborhood and be a local breakfast spot.”
His goal will become a reality on Wednesday, Dec. 29, when Sidedoor Bagels opens at 1103 E. 10th St.
Greeson said his bagels are hand-rolled and long-fermented – a three-day process with the boiling and baking process resulting in fresh bagels each day.
The enterprise’s name comes from a previous plan when Greeson baked for Amelia’s, one which involved him hosting a pop-up shop out of Amelia’s side door. That plan never materialized, he said, but the name stuck.
The new carryout-only shop will feature hot drip coffee and house-made cold brew using beans from local roasters.
Once fully up and running, Sidedoor Bagels will open at 8 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, closing at 2 p.m. – or earlier, if the bagels sell out.
*Look for a January opening for The Botanical Bar, which will offer a curated selection of high-quality houseplants, along with uniquely designed lifestyle and wellness products made by people of color and women-owned businesses. Located in the Penn Arts Building at 111 E. 16th St., the enterprise has, according to its website, a commitment to supporting diverse suppliers and vendors.
The shop will feature tropical plants, succulents, cacti, air plants, a rotating collection of hand-crafted planters, plant care tools, and home and wellness goods. The Botanical Bar also specializes in creating custom plant design installations for homes, offices, restaurants and boutiques.
And more openings and closings, previously posted on Dec. 16:
*Housed for a decade in the Murphy Art Center, PURE EATERY will close its doors by the end of the month, owners Dave Andrus, Courtney Andrus and Jason Jacobi have announced in a Facebook post. “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the closing of our doors at the end of this month,” they wrote. “It has been a pleasure and an honor to be a part of the Fountain Square neighborhood for the past 10 years. We’ve made countless friends and memories and will miss you all very much. Please stop in over the next few weeks and give some love to our amazing staff that has served up fresh, locally sourced, made from scratch recipes and delicious, original craft cocktails for so many years. Thank you for all of your love and support. We will never forget it! Have a safe and wonderful holiday.”
*Look for a summer opening for LOS ARROYOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT at 137 E. New York St. in the new Ardmore building. Based in California, the Los Arroyos family also includes a Carmel restaurant in a development owned by Gershman Partners, owners of the Ardmore. The upscale eatery will join Shake Shack and Rize’n Roll Bakery along the street-front just off the mouth of Mass Ave.
*And speaking of Shake Shack, the restaurant at the southwest corner of New York and Delaware streets opened its doors on Sunday, Dec. 12. Shake Shack is known for its “smash-burgers” and hand-mixed shakes. The eatery features a dining room as well as a walk-up window for orders placed via its “Shake” app. Shake Shack is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
*Hoagies & Hops is no longer the food provider at Chilly Water Brewing Co. in Fletcher Place. Hoagies owner Krtistina Mazza said the last day of service will be Friday, Dec. 31, closing on 7 p.m. for a private party. She plans to focus on her home store on Boulevard Place in Butler-Tarkington, where she also partners with Chilly Water. Mazza will also continue to operate a food truck. Reports indicate that the food service will be taken over by the Fountain Square Mexican restaurant, La Margarita.
*An opening may be imminent for Isuka Hibachi Express & Sushi, to be located in the Piccadilly Apartments building at 38 E. 16th St. The corner location immediately west of Herron High School was last occupied by Penn & Palate restaurant. Isuka is owned by Alia Alia Amanda, her family and partner chef Usop Sopana.
PHOTO ABOVE: Sidedoor Bagels to open soon at the corner of 10th and Dorman streets in Cottage Home, across from the Circle City Industrial Complex.