This Dad Makes More Than Just Bagels

Summer's here at last, the perfect time to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies. And maybe an iced coffee or a really great smoothie.

If you're in the know, you are probably already familiar with Bagels Etc., well known for their wraps and salads, 10 different kinds of iced coffee, fruit smoothies and all manner of bagels.

Barrington resident Tim Gorman has owned the Markwood Square restaurant since 1999. He bought the 259 County Road business his parents started in 1989 when they moved to Florida to retire. Since then, this father of two boys, Jackson, 8, and Adam, 5, has been busy expanding the Etc. in the store's name.

The original restaurant was primarily about bagels when Gorman bought the business, but he has gone on to add the wraps, salads, fruit smoothies and iced coffees.

Surprisingly, Gorman is not a coffee drinker, but he admits to drinking iced tea "year 'round."

Both Gorman and his wife, Amy, love living in Barrington, and are very committed to the community. Bagels Etc. sponsors local teams, and Amy Gorman volunteers in the schools. Many of Gorman's employees are area teens who return to work for him each summer.

For Gorman, the biggest reward of owning a restaurant in Barrington is the people.

"I like the people who come in here," he said. "I know a ton of them from living here all these years. It's a really nice town to live in."

Despite the long hours, Gorman has no plans to go anywhere.

"As long as the people keep supporting us, I plan to stay as long as I can," he said.