1.     Can you tell us the story of how you came to own Rochester Bagel & Coffee House? What was the moment you decided, “Yes, I’m going to buy this business”?

Well last month marked our 10 year anniversary of my ownership of Rochester Bagel. It has been a beloved destination since 1998, when the Brash’s first opened it. In early 2015, Terry Crissinger just passed ownership to Salvador Sanchez after 12 years. The opportunity to buy the business came while my daughters were still very young and absolutely loved the bagels and talked me into it, promising that they would work it with me and eat bagels everyday. I immediately signed up to attend FEDCO’s program NxLevel Business Planning Class which was vital to assure that I was ready and planned accordingly for success. Consequently I have completed the class again to assist in planning for the next phase as we continue to grow.  

2.     You make your bagels from scratch every day and start really early. What does a typical morning look like for you?

It’s funny because yes our mornings start early, usually waking up at 3:15 am, but it doesn’t seem so extraordinarily early anymore. A typical morning starts with going to work with my son who bakes the bagels in the morning and I am usually baking muffins and scones before my amazing crew starts to trickle in before we open at 6 am. There is quite a lot that happens before we are ready to open our doors and quite a lot to clean up at the end of the day after we close. 

Angie Conley has been my rock for 10 years and without her and my capable staff, I wouldn’t have achieved the level of success Rochester Bagel is enjoying today.

3.     Rochester Bagel has become a downtown staple — what does being part of the Rochester community mean to you personally and as a business owner?

Customer care and delivering fresh, fast, and delicious food has always been our priority. We understand that all of our valued customers deserve quality and it has been very challenging (especially after Covid) to procure our raw product at costs that can keep our prices as low as possible. I love that our community can come and enjoy our products daily because of its affordability. I also enjoy meeting new customers coming for the first time and cherish that they continue to come despite the distances that they travel from. 

Being a part of the Rochester community has been an honor and have considered my customers to be friends because of our relationship over time.

As a business owner, I feel grateful to share my success with fundraisers when I can. But most of all I feel a great sense of pride that my business is in the beautiful town of Rochester, Indiana. My immediate family has put a lot of effort in the landscaping, interior décor, menus and the excellent bagels and I am deeply proud of their service to this community.  

4.     What advice would you give to other local entrepreneurs who are just getting started in our community?

FEDCO’s program is valuable and even if you have experience, as I did, the confidence you gain is priceless. Networking with other businesses, getting feedback on ideas, and creating a viable business plan is just some of the important aspects they cover. 

5.     What’s one of the funniest or most memorable customer stories you’ve had?

We, (and I do mean all of us!) at the Bagel Shop have a great sense of humor, so there are numerous funny stories and pictures, we would love to share. But the one that has us busting up all time happens more often than not and that is when customers ask if we have “other” bread options. Yes we do carry flatbread. But we do not have croissants, English muffins, sliced bread, subs, or rolls. Just Bagels and everything on Bagels!

6.     If you weren’t doing this, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

Oh goodness! That is a tough question, we are only closed two days out of the year, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving!! I am pretty sure my children are pretty content with me being busy doing my business or else I would definitely be in their business. My love for food and all things food related started when I was young so this is a natural fit, I guess a food critic would have been in my future and I am constantly making recommendations but no one pays for that!