Started in 1940 by Simon & Judith Milner, grandparents of current owner Bernard Milner, New York Bagels began it’s life as Milly's in Gardens, Cape Town. Their son, Leslie, continued and expanded the business to five stores and a production factory specializing in frozen foods & pickled cucumbers.
After selling Milly's, Les and his wife Dot bought a wholesale Bagelry in London called New York Bagels, baking traditional bagels and supplying prominent stores such as Harrods and Waitrose.
On returning to Cape Town in 1990, Les, Dot & Bernard started New York Bagels in Sea Point, a Bakery and Deli specializing in Bagels. In 1997 the business expanded to include a 250-seat Sit-Down Deli.
In 2009 Les passed away. Bernard & his partner Wilma continue to run New York Bagels. In 2012 Nina, their daughter, helped spread the family brand to the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, thus becoming the fourth generation of Milner in the bagel business. Long live the Bagel!
DESCRIPTION
New York Bagels is Africa’s only dedicated Bagelry, specializing in traditional boiled and baked New York-style Bagels, offering 13 different varieties.
This unique family-run Deli is known world-wide for it’s traditional Jewish specialties such as chopped herring, blintzes, babkas and baked cheesecake. All of New York Bagels products, including all bakery and confectionery items, smoked salmon, brisket and pastrami and a host of other delicacies, are produced on site at the Sea Point store.
UPDATE:
The Sea Point store closed in January 2014 and a new New York Bagels store is currently being constructed at 44 Harrington Street, Cape Town (District 6).