Popular delivery-only bagel shop to open first Charlotte-area storefront with drive-thru

The big picture: In the years since Owen’s Bagels closed on South Boulevard, Charlotteans (especially northern transplants) have been on the hunt for quality bagels.

• Kevin Priest answered that call when he launched his ghost kitchen and bagel delivery business during the pandemic. After years of searching for the right permanent location, he’s secured a five-year lease for a 1,300-square-foot space off Idlewild Road.

Background: Priest started BagelGram out of necessity, he told me back in 2021. He had lost his job at the start of the pandemic and needed to find a new way to support his family.

• The Florida native grew up watching and learning the bagel-making process out of his childhood best friend’s shop.
• Then he married a woman from New Jersey and honed his craft even more.

What to expect: The new space will have a 40-foot counter where customers can see all the bagel and cream cheese varieties. “I really want it to feel like you’re coming into BagleGram headquarters,” Priest says.

• The shop will have a drive-thru window, and it’ll also still offer delivery a couple of days a week to certain neighborhoods.

• To start, the menu will be primarily focused on bagels with more sandwiches available after a few months, depending on hiring.
• Prices will start at $1.75 per bagel.

Time: Priest is aiming for an August 1 opening. In the meantime, you can order as normal on BagleGram’s website and support the expansion via BagelGram’s Kickstarter.

Location: 7878 Idlewild Road, in the former 100 Main Beef & BBQ space.

Hours: Priest plans to open the shop Tuesday through Sunday from about 6:30am to 2pm, but that’s subject to change as the opening date gets closer.