Original Ess-A-Bagel Booted Out of Its 1st Avenue Home After 39 Years

Along with its neighbors,Grill 21 and Rose Restaurant, New York classic Ess-A-Bagel is being kicked out of its original 1st Avenue home, where it has lived since 1976. Ess-A-Bagel owner David Wilpon says the landlord's decision to not renew the leases is part of the general move away from mom-and-pop shops. "It's endemic of the city; they're pushing out independent businesses," he tells Town & Village. All three restaurants will close up shop soon, likely before the end of the month. Wilpon is looking for another space nearby but he says: "There's a lot up in the air." He's considering taking refuge way up in the Bronx, but luckily the Midtown location is safe. Apparently, the landlord has already lined up replacements: a Bank of America and, irony of all ironies, a shop called Tower Bagels.

Update: The landlord denies that Ess-A-Bagel was pushed out, saying, "It takes two sides to make a deal." Read the full statement here.