The New York city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued 67 violations earlier this week, citing “evidence of rats or live rats in (the) establishment’s food or non-food areas” and live cockroaches in food and non-food areas. These violations follow a pattern of previous issues, including 26 violations in August and 29 in April, with the latter also citing evidence of rats. The health department had also issued a combined 53 violations on two separate occasions in February 2023.
Witnesses reported seeing staff remove kitchen equipment earlier in the week, a telltale sign of a permanent closure.
Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a beloved institution that held a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers. Its closure marks the end of an era for the Upper West Side.
Beloved Local Store Shuts its Doors
A neighborhood staple has closed permanently, leaving residents surprised and saddened. New York State Assemblymember-elect for the 69th District, Micah Lasher, expressed the community’s sentiment, stating that the closure came as a “deeply disappointing surprise.” Lasher’s online post confirmed the permanent nature of the closure. Lasher shared that he had spoken with shop employees, friends of the owner, and the landlord’s broker. From these conversations, Lasher gathered that the owner had made a firm decision to retire and cease operations, leading to the swift closure and emptying of the store. “I have now spoken with Absolute employees, friends of the owner, and the broker representing the landlord. My sense is that the owner has firmly decided to retire and no longer operate the business, and consequently moved quickly to close and empty the store yesterday.”## Interview with a Local on the Closure of Absolute Bagels
**Archyde Correspondent:** Today, we are joined by [Guest Name], a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, to discuss the recent closure of Absolute Bagels, a beloved local institution. Welcome to the show.
**[Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. It’s a sad day for the neighborhood.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Absolutely. Absolute Bagels was known for its long lines and appetizing bagels. What are some of your fondest memories of the shop?
**[Guest name]:** I’ve been coming here for years, sometimes even bringing my kids when they were little. It was a community gathering spot, you know? We’d chat with the owner, catch up with neighbors, all while enjoying the moast incredible bagels in the city.
**Archyde Correspondent:** the shop recently announced its closure after receiving 67 health code violations. Do you think this was a contributing factor to their closure, or was there something else at play? [ [1](https://gephardtdaily.com/iconic-new-york-city-bagel-shop-shuttered-after-health-violations/) ]
**[Guest Name]:** it’s hard to say for sure. While obviously, health violations are serious, I’d imagine things like rising rent costs and increased competition in the food industry might have also played a role.
**Archyde Correspondent:** What do you think the closure means for the neighborhood?
**[Guest Name]:** It’s a loss, no question. Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a part of the fabric of this community. It’s going to be sorely missed.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Any chances Absolute Bagels might make a comeback, perhaps at a new location?
**[Guest Name]:** It would be fantastic, wouldn’t it? I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, but after 30 years at this location, I imagine it would be a hard act to follow.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Thank you for sharing your memories and insights, [Guest Name]. We appreciate your time.
**[Guest Name]:** It was my pleasure.
“No chance” of reopening, stated an unnamed Absolute Bagels employee to the West Side Rag, who first reported the closure. While health violations alone don’t necessitate permanent closure, the severity of the infractions in this case proved insurmountable.
The New York city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued 67 violations earlier this week, citing “evidence of rats or live rats in (the) establishment’s food or non-food areas” and live cockroaches in food and non-food areas. These violations follow a pattern of previous issues, including 26 violations in August and 29 in April, with the latter also citing evidence of rats. The health department had also issued a combined 53 violations on two separate occasions in February 2023.
Witnesses reported seeing staff remove kitchen equipment earlier in the week, a telltale sign of a permanent closure.
Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a beloved institution that held a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers. Its closure marks the end of an era for the Upper West Side.
Beloved Local Store Shuts its Doors
A neighborhood staple has closed permanently, leaving residents surprised and saddened. New York State Assemblymember-elect for the 69th District, Micah Lasher, expressed the community’s sentiment, stating that the closure came as a “deeply disappointing surprise.” Lasher’s online post confirmed the permanent nature of the closure. Lasher shared that he had spoken with shop employees, friends of the owner, and the landlord’s broker. From these conversations, Lasher gathered that the owner had made a firm decision to retire and cease operations, leading to the swift closure and emptying of the store. “I have now spoken with Absolute employees, friends of the owner, and the broker representing the landlord. My sense is that the owner has firmly decided to retire and no longer operate the business, and consequently moved quickly to close and empty the store yesterday.”## Interview with a Local on the Closure of Absolute Bagels
**Archyde Correspondent:** Today, we are joined by [Guest Name], a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, to discuss the recent closure of Absolute Bagels, a beloved local institution. Welcome to the show.
**[Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. It’s a sad day for the neighborhood.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Absolutely. Absolute Bagels was known for its long lines and appetizing bagels. What are some of your fondest memories of the shop?
**[Guest name]:** I’ve been coming here for years, sometimes even bringing my kids when they were little. It was a community gathering spot, you know? We’d chat with the owner, catch up with neighbors, all while enjoying the moast incredible bagels in the city.
**Archyde Correspondent:** the shop recently announced its closure after receiving 67 health code violations. Do you think this was a contributing factor to their closure, or was there something else at play? [ [1](https://gephardtdaily.com/iconic-new-york-city-bagel-shop-shuttered-after-health-violations/) ]
**[Guest Name]:** it’s hard to say for sure. While obviously, health violations are serious, I’d imagine things like rising rent costs and increased competition in the food industry might have also played a role.
**Archyde Correspondent:** What do you think the closure means for the neighborhood?
**[Guest Name]:** It’s a loss, no question. Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a part of the fabric of this community. It’s going to be sorely missed.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Any chances Absolute Bagels might make a comeback, perhaps at a new location?
**[Guest Name]:** It would be fantastic, wouldn’t it? I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, but after 30 years at this location, I imagine it would be a hard act to follow.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Thank you for sharing your memories and insights, [Guest Name]. We appreciate your time.
**[Guest Name]:** It was my pleasure.
The closure comes as a shock to many new yorkers who regularly queued for Absolute Bagels’ famous bagels, which had earned the shop a spot on numerous “best bagel” lists.By Saturday morning, a crowd gathered outside the shuttered eatery, snapping photos and expressing their sadness at the loss of a neighborhood staple.
“No chance” of reopening, stated an unnamed Absolute Bagels employee to the West Side Rag, who first reported the closure. While health violations alone don’t necessitate permanent closure, the severity of the infractions in this case proved insurmountable.
The New York city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued 67 violations earlier this week, citing “evidence of rats or live rats in (the) establishment’s food or non-food areas” and live cockroaches in food and non-food areas. These violations follow a pattern of previous issues, including 26 violations in August and 29 in April, with the latter also citing evidence of rats. The health department had also issued a combined 53 violations on two separate occasions in February 2023.
Witnesses reported seeing staff remove kitchen equipment earlier in the week, a telltale sign of a permanent closure.
Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a beloved institution that held a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers. Its closure marks the end of an era for the Upper West Side.
Beloved Local Store Shuts its Doors
A neighborhood staple has closed permanently, leaving residents surprised and saddened. New York State Assemblymember-elect for the 69th District, Micah Lasher, expressed the community’s sentiment, stating that the closure came as a “deeply disappointing surprise.” Lasher’s online post confirmed the permanent nature of the closure. Lasher shared that he had spoken with shop employees, friends of the owner, and the landlord’s broker. From these conversations, Lasher gathered that the owner had made a firm decision to retire and cease operations, leading to the swift closure and emptying of the store. “I have now spoken with Absolute employees, friends of the owner, and the broker representing the landlord. My sense is that the owner has firmly decided to retire and no longer operate the business, and consequently moved quickly to close and empty the store yesterday.”## Interview with a Local on the Closure of Absolute Bagels
**Archyde Correspondent:** Today, we are joined by [Guest Name], a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, to discuss the recent closure of Absolute Bagels, a beloved local institution. Welcome to the show.
**[Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. It’s a sad day for the neighborhood.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Absolutely. Absolute Bagels was known for its long lines and appetizing bagels. What are some of your fondest memories of the shop?
**[Guest name]:** I’ve been coming here for years, sometimes even bringing my kids when they were little. It was a community gathering spot, you know? We’d chat with the owner, catch up with neighbors, all while enjoying the moast incredible bagels in the city.
**Archyde Correspondent:** the shop recently announced its closure after receiving 67 health code violations. Do you think this was a contributing factor to their closure, or was there something else at play? [ [1](https://gephardtdaily.com/iconic-new-york-city-bagel-shop-shuttered-after-health-violations/) ]
**[Guest Name]:** it’s hard to say for sure. While obviously, health violations are serious, I’d imagine things like rising rent costs and increased competition in the food industry might have also played a role.
**Archyde Correspondent:** What do you think the closure means for the neighborhood?
**[Guest Name]:** It’s a loss, no question. Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a part of the fabric of this community. It’s going to be sorely missed.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Any chances Absolute Bagels might make a comeback, perhaps at a new location?
**[Guest Name]:** It would be fantastic, wouldn’t it? I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, but after 30 years at this location, I imagine it would be a hard act to follow.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Thank you for sharing your memories and insights, [Guest Name]. We appreciate your time.
**[Guest Name]:** It was my pleasure.
Absolute Bagels is now closed permanently after receiving a combined 67 violations by the city’s health department this week. Photo by Adam Schrader/UPI” srcset=”https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels.jpg 300w, https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-768×512.jpg 768w, https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-1024×683.jpg 1024w,https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-1536×1024.jpg 1536w” sizes=”(max-width: 300px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 100vw” />The closure comes as a shock to many new yorkers who regularly queued for Absolute Bagels’ famous bagels, which had earned the shop a spot on numerous “best bagel” lists.By Saturday morning, a crowd gathered outside the shuttered eatery, snapping photos and expressing their sadness at the loss of a neighborhood staple.
“No chance” of reopening, stated an unnamed Absolute Bagels employee to the West Side Rag, who first reported the closure. While health violations alone don’t necessitate permanent closure, the severity of the infractions in this case proved insurmountable.
The New York city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued 67 violations earlier this week, citing “evidence of rats or live rats in (the) establishment’s food or non-food areas” and live cockroaches in food and non-food areas. These violations follow a pattern of previous issues, including 26 violations in August and 29 in April, with the latter also citing evidence of rats. The health department had also issued a combined 53 violations on two separate occasions in February 2023.
Witnesses reported seeing staff remove kitchen equipment earlier in the week, a telltale sign of a permanent closure.
Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a beloved institution that held a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers. Its closure marks the end of an era for the Upper West Side.
Beloved Local Store Shuts its Doors
A neighborhood staple has closed permanently, leaving residents surprised and saddened. New York State Assemblymember-elect for the 69th District, Micah Lasher, expressed the community’s sentiment, stating that the closure came as a “deeply disappointing surprise.” Lasher’s online post confirmed the permanent nature of the closure. Lasher shared that he had spoken with shop employees, friends of the owner, and the landlord’s broker. From these conversations, Lasher gathered that the owner had made a firm decision to retire and cease operations, leading to the swift closure and emptying of the store. “I have now spoken with Absolute employees, friends of the owner, and the broker representing the landlord. My sense is that the owner has firmly decided to retire and no longer operate the business, and consequently moved quickly to close and empty the store yesterday.”## Interview with a Local on the Closure of Absolute Bagels
**Archyde Correspondent:** Today, we are joined by [Guest Name], a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, to discuss the recent closure of Absolute Bagels, a beloved local institution. Welcome to the show.
**[Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. It’s a sad day for the neighborhood.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Absolutely. Absolute Bagels was known for its long lines and appetizing bagels. What are some of your fondest memories of the shop?
**[Guest name]:** I’ve been coming here for years, sometimes even bringing my kids when they were little. It was a community gathering spot, you know? We’d chat with the owner, catch up with neighbors, all while enjoying the moast incredible bagels in the city.
**Archyde Correspondent:** the shop recently announced its closure after receiving 67 health code violations. Do you think this was a contributing factor to their closure, or was there something else at play? [ [1](https://gephardtdaily.com/iconic-new-york-city-bagel-shop-shuttered-after-health-violations/) ]
**[Guest Name]:** it’s hard to say for sure. While obviously, health violations are serious, I’d imagine things like rising rent costs and increased competition in the food industry might have also played a role.
**Archyde Correspondent:** What do you think the closure means for the neighborhood?
**[Guest Name]:** It’s a loss, no question. Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a part of the fabric of this community. It’s going to be sorely missed.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Any chances Absolute Bagels might make a comeback, perhaps at a new location?
**[Guest Name]:** It would be fantastic, wouldn’t it? I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, but after 30 years at this location, I imagine it would be a hard act to follow.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Thank you for sharing your memories and insights, [Guest Name]. We appreciate your time.
**[Guest Name]:** It was my pleasure.
A beloved bagel shop on Manhattan’s Upper West Side has permanently closed its doors after racking up a staggering 67 health code violations. Absolute Bagels, a local institution known for its signature menu and long lines, announced its closure wiht a simple sign posted on its door: “Thank you for your patronage for 30 years but…we have to go.”
Absolute Bagels is now closed permanently after receiving a combined 67 violations by the city’s health department this week. Photo by Adam Schrader/UPI” srcset=”https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels.jpg 300w, https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-768×512.jpg 768w, https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-1024×683.jpg 1024w,https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-1536×1024.jpg 1536w” sizes=”(max-width: 300px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 100vw” />The closure comes as a shock to many new yorkers who regularly queued for Absolute Bagels’ famous bagels, which had earned the shop a spot on numerous “best bagel” lists.By Saturday morning, a crowd gathered outside the shuttered eatery, snapping photos and expressing their sadness at the loss of a neighborhood staple.
“No chance” of reopening, stated an unnamed Absolute Bagels employee to the West Side Rag, who first reported the closure. While health violations alone don’t necessitate permanent closure, the severity of the infractions in this case proved insurmountable.
The New York city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued 67 violations earlier this week, citing “evidence of rats or live rats in (the) establishment’s food or non-food areas” and live cockroaches in food and non-food areas. These violations follow a pattern of previous issues, including 26 violations in August and 29 in April, with the latter also citing evidence of rats. The health department had also issued a combined 53 violations on two separate occasions in February 2023.
Witnesses reported seeing staff remove kitchen equipment earlier in the week, a telltale sign of a permanent closure.
Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a beloved institution that held a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers. Its closure marks the end of an era for the Upper West Side.
Beloved Local Store Shuts its Doors
A neighborhood staple has closed permanently, leaving residents surprised and saddened. New York State Assemblymember-elect for the 69th District, Micah Lasher, expressed the community’s sentiment, stating that the closure came as a “deeply disappointing surprise.” Lasher’s online post confirmed the permanent nature of the closure. Lasher shared that he had spoken with shop employees, friends of the owner, and the landlord’s broker. From these conversations, Lasher gathered that the owner had made a firm decision to retire and cease operations, leading to the swift closure and emptying of the store. “I have now spoken with Absolute employees, friends of the owner, and the broker representing the landlord. My sense is that the owner has firmly decided to retire and no longer operate the business, and consequently moved quickly to close and empty the store yesterday.”## Interview with a Local on the Closure of Absolute Bagels
**Archyde Correspondent:** Today, we are joined by [Guest Name], a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, to discuss the recent closure of Absolute Bagels, a beloved local institution. Welcome to the show.
**[Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. It’s a sad day for the neighborhood.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Absolutely. Absolute Bagels was known for its long lines and appetizing bagels. What are some of your fondest memories of the shop?
**[Guest name]:** I’ve been coming here for years, sometimes even bringing my kids when they were little. It was a community gathering spot, you know? We’d chat with the owner, catch up with neighbors, all while enjoying the moast incredible bagels in the city.
**Archyde Correspondent:** the shop recently announced its closure after receiving 67 health code violations. Do you think this was a contributing factor to their closure, or was there something else at play? [ [1](https://gephardtdaily.com/iconic-new-york-city-bagel-shop-shuttered-after-health-violations/) ]
**[Guest Name]:** it’s hard to say for sure. While obviously, health violations are serious, I’d imagine things like rising rent costs and increased competition in the food industry might have also played a role.
**Archyde Correspondent:** What do you think the closure means for the neighborhood?
**[Guest Name]:** It’s a loss, no question. Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a part of the fabric of this community. It’s going to be sorely missed.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Any chances Absolute Bagels might make a comeback, perhaps at a new location?
**[Guest Name]:** It would be fantastic, wouldn’t it? I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, but after 30 years at this location, I imagine it would be a hard act to follow.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Thank you for sharing your memories and insights, [Guest Name]. We appreciate your time.
**[Guest Name]:** It was my pleasure.
Iconic New York City Bagel Shop Shuttered After health Violations
Table of Contents
A beloved bagel shop on Manhattan’s Upper West Side has permanently closed its doors after racking up a staggering 67 health code violations. Absolute Bagels, a local institution known for its signature menu and long lines, announced its closure wiht a simple sign posted on its door: “Thank you for your patronage for 30 years but…we have to go.”
Absolute Bagels is now closed permanently after receiving a combined 67 violations by the city’s health department this week. Photo by Adam Schrader/UPI” srcset=”https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels.jpg 300w, https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-768×512.jpg 768w, https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-1024×683.jpg 1024w,https://gephardtdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Rats-force-closure-of-New-York-Citys-iconic-Absolute-Bagels-1536×1024.jpg 1536w” sizes=”(max-width: 300px) 100vw, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 100vw” />The closure comes as a shock to many new yorkers who regularly queued for Absolute Bagels’ famous bagels, which had earned the shop a spot on numerous “best bagel” lists.By Saturday morning, a crowd gathered outside the shuttered eatery, snapping photos and expressing their sadness at the loss of a neighborhood staple.
“No chance” of reopening, stated an unnamed Absolute Bagels employee to the West Side Rag, who first reported the closure. While health violations alone don’t necessitate permanent closure, the severity of the infractions in this case proved insurmountable.
The New York city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued 67 violations earlier this week, citing “evidence of rats or live rats in (the) establishment’s food or non-food areas” and live cockroaches in food and non-food areas. These violations follow a pattern of previous issues, including 26 violations in August and 29 in April, with the latter also citing evidence of rats. The health department had also issued a combined 53 violations on two separate occasions in February 2023.
Witnesses reported seeing staff remove kitchen equipment earlier in the week, a telltale sign of a permanent closure.
Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a beloved institution that held a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers. Its closure marks the end of an era for the Upper West Side.
Beloved Local Store Shuts its Doors
A neighborhood staple has closed permanently, leaving residents surprised and saddened. New York State Assemblymember-elect for the 69th District, Micah Lasher, expressed the community’s sentiment, stating that the closure came as a “deeply disappointing surprise.” Lasher’s online post confirmed the permanent nature of the closure. Lasher shared that he had spoken with shop employees, friends of the owner, and the landlord’s broker. From these conversations, Lasher gathered that the owner had made a firm decision to retire and cease operations, leading to the swift closure and emptying of the store. “I have now spoken with Absolute employees, friends of the owner, and the broker representing the landlord. My sense is that the owner has firmly decided to retire and no longer operate the business, and consequently moved quickly to close and empty the store yesterday.”## Interview with a Local on the Closure of Absolute Bagels
**Archyde Correspondent:** Today, we are joined by [Guest Name], a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, to discuss the recent closure of Absolute Bagels, a beloved local institution. Welcome to the show.
**[Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. It’s a sad day for the neighborhood.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Absolutely. Absolute Bagels was known for its long lines and appetizing bagels. What are some of your fondest memories of the shop?
**[Guest name]:** I’ve been coming here for years, sometimes even bringing my kids when they were little. It was a community gathering spot, you know? We’d chat with the owner, catch up with neighbors, all while enjoying the moast incredible bagels in the city.
**Archyde Correspondent:** the shop recently announced its closure after receiving 67 health code violations. Do you think this was a contributing factor to their closure, or was there something else at play? [ [1](https://gephardtdaily.com/iconic-new-york-city-bagel-shop-shuttered-after-health-violations/) ]
**[Guest Name]:** it’s hard to say for sure. While obviously, health violations are serious, I’d imagine things like rising rent costs and increased competition in the food industry might have also played a role.
**Archyde Correspondent:** What do you think the closure means for the neighborhood?
**[Guest Name]:** It’s a loss, no question. Absolute Bagels was more than just a bagel shop; it was a part of the fabric of this community. It’s going to be sorely missed.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Any chances Absolute Bagels might make a comeback, perhaps at a new location?
**[Guest Name]:** It would be fantastic, wouldn’t it? I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, but after 30 years at this location, I imagine it would be a hard act to follow.
**Archyde Correspondent:** Thank you for sharing your memories and insights, [Guest Name]. We appreciate your time.
**[Guest Name]:** It was my pleasure.
