PopUp Bagels Expands to Tampa
PopUp Bagels is expanding its Florida footprint, with Tampa among the new locations planned. The bagel chain is already opening shops in Winter Park, Orlando, Brevard, Viera, and Delray, broadening its presence across the state.
PopUp Bagels started in 2020 as a pandemic hobby for Adam Goldberg in Westport, Connecticut. Goldberg initially gifted his bagels to friends and family, but demand quickly grew. He began selling bagels by the dozen via subscription, featuring unique schmear flavors like pesto butter and cacio e pepe. The brand is known for its "Grip, Rip and Dip" method, encouraging customers to tear and dip their bagels instead of slicing and spreading. PopUp Bagels does not serve sandwiches, focusing instead on bagels and schmear to maintain efficiency and quality. PopUp Bagels gained significant attention on social media, leading to funding from celebrity investors like Paul Rudd, Michael Phelps, Michael Strahan, and JJ Watt. The company recently closed an $8 million funding round to support its expansion. The Tampa location joins over a dozen existing stores across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. Prices at PopUp Bagels vary, with a 3-pack of bagels and one schmear costing $13, a half dozen with one schmear at $21, and a dozen with two schmears for $42. CEO Tory Bartlett noted the Carrollwood opening reflected the support from Tampa residents for fresh bagels.
