Two new bagel shops coming to Birmingham

By Gigi Nichols

The city of Birmingham’s food choices will now include two new bagel shops.

Bev’s Bagels, the organic sourdough bagel shop that opened in Detroit’s Core City last summer, is expanding to Birmingham at 283 Hamilton Row. The shop will open a second location at 283 Hamilton Row in September, bringing chef-owner Max Sussman back to his Oakland County roots.

“I’ve always loved hanging out and eating in Birmingham,” says Sussman, a Huntington Woods native. “When I was growing up, I’d go there with my grandparents for lunch all the time. It’s really exciting to me to be able to bring Bev’s to downtown Birmingham and introduce what we do to a whole new audience.” Sussman, a James Beard Award semifinalist, made a name for himself in New York’s culinary scene before launching Bev’s as a pop-up out of his home in 2023.

The Birmingham location will expand the availability of his offerings while maintaining the hallmarks that helped make Bev’s Detroit location a staple. Fans and newcomers can expect bagel sandwiches made with premium, organic ingredients; handmade, chef-created schmears; and customer-inspired bagel combinations, along with several new offerings exclusive to the Birmingham location.

The new menu will include veggie-forward, open-faced bagel sandwiches featuring lighter cream cheese applications and fresh produce, including Michigan heirloom tomatoes; a chef-driven chopped salad designed for the midday lunch rush; high-quality gluten-free bagels in plain and everything varieties; and weekday pastries and sweets.

The prime downtown location will also place greater emphasis on Bev’s growing catering operation, with a focus on corporate events, office lunches, holidays, family celebrations and other special brand activations. Bev’s Birmingham will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week.

The second bagel shop, PopUp Bagels, is opening its first store in Michigan at 34400 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham. Storefront signs are up at the former T-Mobile retail space, though an official opening date has not yet been announced.

Founded in 2020, by Adam Goldberg in Westport, CT the chain is famous for selling hot, whole artisanal bagels meant to be torn open and dipped into signature flavored cream cheese "schmears" or butters rather than served as pre-made sandwiches.

PopUp Bagels says their mission is fueled by passion and dedication “to craft unmistakably perfect bagels with no frills, using the essence of simplicity - crispy crusts, soft crumb centers, and an ideal proportion of seeds. Every bagel is a product of precision, from the high-quality ingredients in our dough to the meticulous proofing process and expert bake that achieves the perfect texture and flavor. Our commitment to quality goes beyond the bagel itself - innovating with top brands, chefs, and tastemakers to create epic schmears that elevate the cream cheese experience with bold, unexpected flavors.”

The brand currently operates 49 stores in 18 states with a goal to reach 100 open locations by the end of 2027.