After what has seemed like an eternity for locals, the empty spaces in front Walmart and Home Depot along Route 50 are finally coming to life as businesses start to move in. First, we saw Piaza launch their grand opening to long lines of eager customers, proving that locals and visitors to the area are ready for some new dining options. We were thrilled of course when we heard that another grub space wasn’t far behind, this time a TCBY and Smagels Bagels combo. Bagels, coffee, and frozen yogurt? Three of the driving factors in a productive work week here at ShoreBread….
Mo Salem, owner of four other TCBY franchises throughout Ocean City, is opening a fifth location in front of the Walmart in West OC, this time with some of the classic TCBY options that have gone to the wayside since TCBY made the switch to self-serve (if you’ve never experienced a TCBY shiver, you’ve seriously been missing out). What’s more, the West OC location will also be offering drive-thru service. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any sweeter…the space will be shared with Shmagels Bagels. Shmagles Bagels will be debuting two locations next month, the first at the Route 50 location, and the second on 33rd Street in Ocean City. Salem has no plans of slowing down after that, with hopes to expand north to Delaware as well.
So what is Shmagel’s Bagels?? We’ll start with the obvious…bagels. And lots of them. Salem intends on having at least a dozen bagel varieties on display, including rotating specialty bagels. When asked what makes a great bagel, Salem replied, “a nice, thin crust with a not too dense center. It’s hard to explain really. That’s the beauty of a bagel.” The beauty also lies in the fact that Shmagels will be making their bagels on site. Between the smell of bagels baking at Shmagels and pizza firing of the ovens at Piaza, the smells of the Walmart parking lot are certainly primed to increase tenfold.
Expect a wide variety of spreads as well, along with lox and deli meats. Sweeter items will be also available, including a bakery container teeming with cookies, danishes, and muffins (aptly titled, Shmuffins). Lunch options will come in the form of bagel sandwiches, along with paninis and wraps. Of course it wouldn’t be a bagel shop without an excellent cup of joe. Shmagels will be serving up Baltimore Coffee and Tea, which boasts 160 different coffee roasts. Drive-thru will also be available for the Shmagels menu options, with plans to be open for the early risers. While there will be limited seating inside the Shmagels/TCBY, the outdoor patio seating will provide the perfect place to relax with a cup of coffee, a fresh bagel, or a massive cup of frozen yogurt.
As we mentioned a few lines up, a second Shmagels Bagels will be opening in May as well, in the 33rd Street strip next to the soon-to-be-opening Tony Lukes. Expect the same bagel lineup and menu options as the Route 50 location…just a few steps closer to the ocean.
And finally, opening dates and teaser photos. Well, we can’t provide you with anything concrete just yet, so you’ll just have to stay tuned! We won’t disappoint…
