No. 11 Story of the Year: Bagel Shop Coming to Downtown Northfield

As the end of the year approaches, Patch recaps the biggest stories of 2012—both in terms of pageviews and impact on the Northfield community. The following article was posted Sept. 7, 2012.

• No. 12 Story of the Year: Northfield Hospital CEO Passes Away

You can't keep a good bagel brother down.

Many Northfielders have longed for a bagel shop since Bagel Bros. shuttered several years ago. The longing is over.

Tony Frentz, a former partner in Bagel Bros. before he sold his share a few years before the Division Street bagel shop closed, has scooped up space next to Goodbye Blue Monday for his new business, Tandem Bagels.

Tandem Bagels is scheduled to open in February, barring any setbacks.

You might not be familiar with the Tandem Bagels name as the first one opened this January in Mankato, according to the manager of that store.

“We make some pretty awesome bagels,” she said.

Their menu offers an array of bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, as well as other baked goods like muffins, scones and coffee cakes.

Frentz, who focused on his construction and development business when he left Bagel Bros., said now was the right time to get back in the bagel business.

He said his wife, Anne, has been raising their three children and wanted to re-enter the workforce. Even years after Bagel Bros. shuttered, Frentz said he kept hearing from former customers about the business, so he and his wife started researching and came up with a concept.

“It’s just the right kind of time,” he said. “People really like (Tandem Bagels) and it’s been really fun."

So now comes the second store.

He said the two love Northfield and feel it’s a great city in which to expand their business.

One bagel lover has already taken to the Tandem Bagel Facebook page to share her excitement over their announcement of the shop coming to Northfield.

"SOOOO happy you're coming to Northfield! It's a great town that *really* needs a great bagel place!" wrote Rebecca Bliss.

Here's what Tandem Bagels' About Page says:

An authentic bagel is kettle-boiled and hearth-baked. Mankato has not had a source for these bagels in some time, and Tandem Bagels reached a point where we decided to do something about it. Our group made a pact to create a bakery and coffeehouse that combines scratch, on-site baking, locally roasted coffee, and fresh, delicious food in the heart of City Center Mankato. We enlisted the help of a few others: an acknowledged bagel master, and a cook extraordinaire. Together, this dedicated band is committed to creating an oasis of fresh foods and good times.

There are many shortcuts available in the restaurant business, but we believe every shortcut comes at the expense of flavor and integrity. It's not the easy way, but once you experience our food and ambiance, we think you'll agree, it's worth the time and effort. We truly value your patronage and opinion—please let us know how we're doing!

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