Goldberg's Famous Bagels Opens In Greenport, A Labor Of Love — And Family

GREENPORT, NY — A crowd of locals and visitors alike flocked Thursday morning to the grand opening of Goldberg's Famous Bagels in Greenport.

The new bagel store opened at the site of the former Meson Ole on Third Street; the eatery is beautifully painted in pale turquoise, with fresh white paint covering the exposed brick — and featuring areas where customers can sit and enjoy the wide array of tempting offerings.

For co-owners Chris Conlan and Amanda Goldberg, the bagel store represents a vision realized — and a true labor of love.

Conlan, who also owns the Mattituck Goldberg's Famous Bagel location in the Mattituck shopping plaza, said he and Goldberg worked for months to ensure everything would be "100 percent perfect."

And at first glance, it appears the shop is a home run, with happy customers lining up not only for delicious, hot bagels, but for sandwiches and new offerings including pretzel bagels, pretzel buns and soft pretzels, French toast bagels, acai bowls, protein smoothies, nitro-brewed coffee and Pitaya bowls, filled with Dragon fruit, a variety of fruits including mango, kiwi, blueberries, strawberries, and bananas, granola and coconut.

Goldberg, who used to play tennis, said the she created her granola, which is balanced to promote digestion and provide energy.

"I'm very health conscious," she said. "My dream was to have a 'healthy corner,' in addition to being the fourth generation in my family to do this."

The focus, is, indeed, on family — and on shepherding a beloved mom and pop family business forward into the next generation, both agreed.

"It's about keeping the old school touch with new school flavors," Conlan said

And, Goldberg added, at the heart of the business' success is "an old family recipe" for bagels that has customer lining up for more.

Conlan, 28, whose daughter Calleigh, 2, played happily in her own "Calleigh's Corner" at the shop, began working for the Goldberg family in their Southampton location about 10 years ago

Goldberg, 29, whose parents Mark and Denise launched the Goldberg's Famous Bagels business with their first shop in Southampton — there are now additional locations in East Hampton, two in Montauk, Riverhead, Mattituck, East Quogue, Amagansett and Bridgehampton — said, of the new store, "It's exciting. Dad's been looking to expand for years."

The North Fork, she said, is similar to Montauk in that it's an up and coming destination that holds true to its "small-town charm."

Of Conlan, she said, "Chris has been with us for 10 years. He is family."

Longtime employees are created at Goldberg's, both said. "They're the best family I've ever worked for," Conlan said.

Conlan and Goldberg are fiercely devoted to the business. "We're both very passionate about this," Conlan said. And, having worked together for so long, they're often mistaken for brother and sister, literally almost growing up together.

The first Goldberg's opened in Southampton 15 years ago — and the two worked side by side in that shop for seven years, before Conlan took the helm at the Mattituck location.

The Third Street location, Goldberg said, is ideal for fostering a year-round customer base of ferry passengers, local residents, and visitors to the area. It's designed for both the grab-and-go visitors and those who want to plug in to the power strip below the counter and spend time working or chatting with neighbors and friends.

Both Goldberg and Conlan have deep respect for the building's rich history.

Built in 1894, the building was originally owned by F.B. Thornhill and G.P. Salmon. A sign outside proclaims the building the site of the former the Burr Hotel; the site was later renamed the Sterlington Hotel, according to the Southold Historical Society.

For years, the dilapidated former Meson Ole stood empty until new owner and builder Jim Olinkiewicz took over and restored the building.

Conlan credited Olinkiewicz for pouring his heart into preserving the building. "He saved a piece of history," Conlan said.

For Goldberg, who currently commutes from East Hampton but is moving to East Quogue, and Conlan, who lives in Calverton, the business means a commitment to not only great bagels, but to timeless family values.

"We're the next generation," Conlan said.

Goldberg's Famous Bagels is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast and lunch.