FOLSOM, Calif. — Big Apple Bagels is now open in Folsom.
The store, located in Commonwealth Square near Raley’s on East Bidwell Street, opened Monday. A grand opening and ribbon cutting with Folsom’s Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for March 16, according to owner Scott Walters.
Walters and his wife, Stacy, originally franchised the nationwide chain with a location on Francisco Drive in El Dorado Hills with her parents; the four were business partners, Walters said.
“We all became partners at first, (until) they passed,” Walters told ABC10. “The four of us collectively decided to do the bagel shop — Big Apple Bagels was the best and the first to reply — they’re a great company to work with. I’d even recommend them to other franchisees in the area, so long as they're not in my area.”
The Folsom location is the chain’s 86th nationwide, he said. The franchise started in 1993 and is headquartered in Deerford, Illinois, according to the company’s website.
Walters said he and his wife have been looking to expand for a few years.
“It feels like a good time to make that leap,” he said. “Folsom’s a great up-and-coming community. All those new homes going in, it’s a great time to grab some of that business.”
The store serves bagels with a variety of toppings, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, gourmet muffins and drip coffee. He said all bagels, muffins and cream cheese are made from scratch.
It locally sources most other items, like meat, and its gluten-free options are purchased from a company “because I don’t have a site big enough to do a gluten-free atmosphere,” Walters said.
Walters said he and his wife will stick with two locations for the time being.
“We love the small business mentality of Folsom and we look forward to serving the community,” he said.
