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PopUp Bagels sells its bagels in bunches, never in sandwich form. (Credit: Photo by Alex Stein)<\/p>\nPopUp Bagels sells its bagels in bunches, never in sandwich form. (Credit: Photo by Alex Stein)<\/p>\n
PopUp Bagels, the viral chain known for serving bagels \u201chot, whole and unsliced,\u201d has reached the Philadelphia area, opening a location at 10 Coulter Ave. in Suburban Square in Ardmore. The bagel chain was founded by Adam Goldberg, a Jewish guy from Westport, Connecticut, who used to work for a flood-mitigation systems company. Goldberg has been interviewed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the Jewish News Syndicate and the Forward about the rise of PopUp Bagels, now in 12 states.<\/p>\n
The Ardmore location opened in March, and it had lines stretching around the block on its first day. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Jewish heritage is part of my background, and bagels were always just around growing up. But my connection to this really comes down to the product. A great bagel is simple, it\u2019s consistent, and it\u2019s for everyone,\u201d wrote Goldberg in an email.<\/p>\n
PopUp Bagels is known for making bagels throughout the day and having hot ones available at all times. They are only served in bunches, not in sandwich form.<\/p>\n
On its website, PopUp Bagels says it aims for a \u201ccrispy crust\u201d and \u201csoft center.\u201d The company philosophy states that the bagels are intended to be enjoyed \u201chow you want, where you want, with whoever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chain also rotates through custom schmears that go with bagel orders. An order of a dozen bagels and two schmears at the Ardmore location costs $46. The schmears available beginning this week were cake batter cream cheese and vanilla berry butter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching people eat our bagels for the first time and seeing their smiles and their faces light up is just an amazing feeling for me,\u201d Goldberg told New York Jewish Week in 2023 ahead of the opening of the chain\u2019s first brick-and-mortar location. \u201cI\u2019m so excited to come to New York and have the opportunity for millions of people to get their hands on our bagels and to be able to see that awesome look for the first time from so many people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ardmore spot has a 3.9 rating out of 5.0 from 25 Google reviews so far.<\/p>\n
On the Reddit page r\/PhiladelphiaEats, user Thin-Company 1363 wrote, \u201cTried this on Sunday \u2014 prepared to hate on it because of the TikTok trendiness of it all \u2014 but I have to admit, the bagels were good! Fluffy inside, crisp and a bit chewy outside without being so chewy it makes your jaw hurt. Most important thing: they were fresh and WARM. Yes, the rules are weird \u2014 must buy at least three bagels minimum, they won\u2019t slice the bagel for you \u2014 but it made sense once you got there. The line was down the block but since they\u2019re not slicing or making sandwiches, it moved fast; and requiring larger orders means they bake batches more frequently and the food is fresher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goldberg started PopUp Bagels in 2020 when he was sitting at home during the pandemic. He built it first into a bagel delivery service with a social media following. The following got so large that, in November 2022, as he explored opening brick-and-mortar locations, Goldberg raised over $2 million, including from celebrities like Paul Rudd and Michael Phelps.<\/p>\n
The first two brick-and-mortar locations, in Manhattan and Greenwich, Connecticut, opened in 2023, and they were quickly followed by spots in California; Washington, D.C.; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Maine; Massachusetts; North Carolina; and Tennessee.<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia area was next.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s close enough to New York to carry forward the energy and familiarity of our brand, but far enough to establish something distinct and new,\u201d said Brian Harrington, PopUp\u2019s Pennsylvania partner, in an email. \u201cIt\u2019s part of the larger strategy to grow thoughtfully, reach a new audience, and build the same kind of loyal following in a place that feels both connected and independent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Within that larger vision, Ardmore was a practical choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cArdmore was an ideal location for PopUp Bagels because it blends a vibrant, walkable downtown with a strong sense of community and a steady flow of both local residents and visitors. The area\u2019s appreciation for high-quality food aligns perfectly with our product, while its proximity to Philadelphia expands our reach to a broader audience,\u201d said Harrington.<\/p>\n
And in Ardmore, the business \u201chit a home run\u201d with Suburban Square, said Harrington.
\u201cIt\u2019s a dynamic, walkable center with an incredible mix of retail shops, fitness and other great food options,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Harrington also said the PopUp team was encouraged by the response of the Ardmore community to the opening, and that more Philly-area locations may follow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe definitely see opportunities to grow further in the Philadelphia area and even into South Jersey, and are working diligently to continue the expansion across these areas,\u201d he said. \u201cBoth regions have strong, community-driven neighborhoods that value quality and experience. Our mission with expansion is to make PopUp as available as possible to our loyal fans.\u201d<\/p>\n