Bagelmen's Is Dead!

Closed. Shuttered. Kaput. Which means that Champaign students are now forced to eat what my son calls goy-bels. Apparently the chain was sold to new owners who proceeded to white bread the NY-style recipe and then close altogether. Not sure what's up with the Bloomington location. My son's in-laws live in Champaign, and he's now delivering bagels every time he makes the trip south.
>>Brent

Hi,

While researching Bloomington's offerings, I learned Bagelmans experienced the same radical change in methods. If Champaign is dead, then I would presume the same for Bloomington ... but I will check soon.

Regards,

such sad news!! it was always on my "cruise by" whenever i got back down to champaign (which is now getting to be a few years since my last visit!? the horrors).

i honestly lived on bagelman's bagels for years. the spinach cream cheese still stands as one of my favorite spreads EVER. that, topped on a poppy seed bagel, wow, sustained me for quite awhile.

when the location on green street closed, i'd still cruise out by the one near custard cup in champaign.

oh well, still lots of old faves worth visiting: courier cafe, sweet betsy's, strawberry fields, brunch @ radio maria; just to name a few...

thanks for the memories,
miss ellen

Hi,

I was in Bloomington where a Bagelman's store is operating. I learned the Champaign location was sold to a new owner, so rather they are Denny's rather than Bagelman's.

The Bloomington and Normal locations all retain the Bagelman's name, yet they are owned by the same Denny's. This explains the change in recipes, though the server claims the menu stayed the same.

From her description, you should expect to go to the old Bagelman locations in Champaign-Urbana to find them in operation and making bagels. Now it would be up to you to advise whether these are as good as you knew them to be. I have heard of disappointments but then again I never knew them at their prime.

Bagelmen's Inc
401 West Kirby Avenue
Champaign, IL 61820
217-351-8156

Bagelmen's Inc
2906 Valley Brook Drive
Champaign, IL 61822
217-366-0019

Bagelmen's Restaurant
1503 East Vernon Av
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-663-8200

Bagelmen's
503 South Main Street
Normal, IL 61761
309-454-1005