On Jan. 15, 2026, Barry Bagels celebrated the grand opening of its Lakewood location. Although the shop originally opened July 2, 2025, the official celebration took place Jan. 15.
The event included a deal for a free bagel and cream cheese with the purchase of an item of equal or greater value. Along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the celebration generated excitement throughout the community about the business’s future.
The original Barry Bagels location was founded in Sylvania, Ohio, in 1972. The business, started by two men from the Toledo area, began franchising in 2014 and is known for its fresh, authentic bagels. Over time, the business expanded its locations and menu, now offering items including sandwiches, salads, drinks, and sweets.
Barry Bagels was originally called “The Bagel Place,” but changed its name to “Barry Bagels” in 1972 to honor one of the founders, Barry Greenblatt, known for his hardworking and caring approach to customers. The business has since been passed down to his son, Mark Greenblatt, who maintains the family’s legacy.
Barry Bagels stands out for offering fresh, healthy food — something that can be hard to find.
“There are no preservatives at all in any of our foods, like our bagels have to be baked fresh every day,” said Leisha Lovell, general manager of the Lakewood location.
The addition of Barry Bagels provides a new spot in the heart of downtown Lakewood. The staff works diligently to ensure everything is baked with care, setting the location up for success.
The core of any store or restaurant is the staff. The team at Barry Bagels is eager to begin this new chapter with a fresh crowd.
“The hours and the owners are really nice. They’re actually really great people. It’s nice to work for a small company. My employees are great, too,” said Lovell.
Lovell has shown genuine care for her employees, a quality key to the store’s success. Business has been steady since the grand opening, with activity ramping up after a few months of preparation.
“It’s been a little slow the last few days, but it’s really cold outside, and a lot of schools have been closed,” added Lovell. With better weather approaching, business is expected to pick up.
Given the success of other locations, the Lakewood store has little to worry about. Residents have expressed enthusiasm for the new business.
“What I find special about them is that their bagels are very fresh and warm compared to some other fast-food or bagel places. It just seems like a lot of work goes into them, and they have lots of cream cheese, which I like,” said Dan Haligan, a Lakewood resident and Barry Bagels customer.
Haligan also praised the staff for their hard work.
“I saw that it was a new bagel place in town, so I decided to support a new business and try something different,” he added. Lakewood is known for supporting new businesses, so a strong turnout is expected in the coming weeks.
The city of Lakewood is tightly knit, and each new business impacts the community. Barry Bagels provides a new gathering spot for residents to show support.
“I think it’ll positively affect our community because it’ll introduce everyone to different chains of food. We don’t have many bagel places in our city, so I think it’s a good change,” said Lauren Lamparyk, a student at Lakewood High School.
“I would go back because I feel like I’m supporting a small business compared to places like Panera, and they generally have good quality food,” she added. With community support, Barry Bagels may continue expanding around the area and beyond.
Much was done to make this grand opening special. A gift card giveaway on social media, along with the buy-one-get-one-free bagel and cream cheese deal, highlighted the company’s dedication to its customers and ongoing support.
Lakewood is fortunate to have this northwest Ohio brand expand into the area. The business is located in Marc’s Plaza at 14871 Detroit Ave., a busy hub for food and shopping. Situated among a strip of stores and restaurants, it’s poised to become a popular spot for Lakewood residents.
