Maryland Bagel Sells Out Within Hours Of Debut

TOWSON, MD — THB Bagels & Deli created its own signature way of participating in Maryland Day, and the show of state pride was met with rave reviews.

"We wanted to celebrate the Maryland flag in a bagel way," THB President/CEO Tony Scotto told Patch.

The business sold bagels that were red, white, black and yellow — the colors of the Maryland flag — on March 25, when Maryland Day is celebrated each year. To achieve the desired effect, bakers used food coloring.

Within hours, the "Maryland bagel" had sold out at all three THB locations — in Towson, Canton and Timonium.

"Some were gone within 30 minutes," Scotto told Patch.

"To say they liked it was an understatement — they loved it, they went crazy," Scotto said about the response from customers.

Despite its popularity, the Maryland bagel will not be added to the permanent menu.

However, Scotto said it will return annually for Maryland Day.

"It’s really hard to make," he explained.

Making a Maryland bagel takes about four hours, whereas Scotto said a regular batch of bagels takes about 30 minutes to make.

The success of the Maryland bagel was one that Scotto attributed to his entire staff, and he said he wanted to thank his entire company.

A marketing department staffer named Tracy came up with the idea for the Maryland bagel, he said.

Then others in the company "made her vision come true," Scotto continued. "Everyone from marketing to dishwashing contributed; everybody was a part of it."

The business made 120 dozen bagels (a total of 1,440) for the inaugural run of the Maryland bagel and will no doubt make more next year.

What was behind the popularity? Scotto attributed it to both state pride and novelty.

"There's emotion associated with the Maryland flag," Scotto said, "and it's something neat — nobody ever did it before."

Photo courtesy of THB Bagels & Deli.