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The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe opens its doors

  • jfitts0
  • Mar 26, 2023
  • 1 min read

Updated: Mar 30, 2023

By John Fitts

Staff Writer


CANTON – Corey Bernier of Canton was the first customer at The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe Sunday morning. But while Bernier arrived really early for the restaurant's 10 a.m. grand opening, Lisa Jakimenko of Burlington was there an hour and 15 minutes prior.

"I got here at 4:45 but she didn't get out of the car," Bernier said, laughing.

There were no hard feelings among the two, however, and each secured free bagels for a year (one per day), which the business awarded to its first 25 customers.

Jakimenko said it was the golden ticket and added, "I have to show my kids I'm still crazy."

The business, located at 161 Albany Turnpike (Route 44), had been generating excitement for its opening in recent weeks with a host of social media posts, including the chance for free bagels, photos of the historic building that houses the business, and tantalizing photos of offerings - such as The Axe, named for the historic mill complex in Collinsville. It features two cage free eggs, two meats, cheese, heirloom tomato, greens and herb aioli on any bagel.

The posts seemed to work well as customers flocked to the store and were willing to wait in lines as the business welcomed patrons.

Additionally, people can visit https://www.bluehousebagelco.com/ or find the business on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bluehousebagelco


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Matthew Safalow shares a laugh with customers Corey Bernier of Canton and Lisa Jakimenko of Burlington.

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Kevin Jones of New Hartford waits in comfort for The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe to open.
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Employees at The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe prepare for customers on opening day.

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Cutting the ribbon are members of the Safalow family. From left are Lia, Ben, Matthew and Mark.

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Some of the bagels available at The Blue House Bagel Co. and Cafe.

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Customers wait in line at the grand opening.

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Inside The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe.

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The menu at The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe.

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Jessica Broggi and Jonathan Cote get ready to try some bagel sandwiches on the morning of The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe's grand opening.

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Melanie Hoben helps promote The Blue House Bagel Co. & Cafe's grand opening.

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Holiday Events

November 27

Communal Thanksgiving Dinner

Unionville: Farmington Community Services hosts its annual town-wide Thanksgiving Day Dinner Gathering each year at the Farmington Community and Senior Center located at 321 New Britain Avenue in Unionville. With the help of volunteers and staff a full Thanksgiving dinner is prepared and served.  Participants, volunteers, and donors are always welcome and needed. Please contact Community Services at 860-675-2390 to make your reservation or for more information.

November 29

Simsbury celebrates

Simsbury: Simsbury celebrates takes place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 29 along Hopmeadow Street. Simsbury Celebrates is a free community holiday celebration, sustained primarily through donations from local businesses and private citizens. It is traditionally held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year, we are celebrating with a variety of events, culminating with our spectacular fireworks show.  

 

Through December

Farmington: The Friends of the Farmington Libraries are excited to announce a holiday book sale, that is continuing into December.  The sale will be held in the Book Nook in the lobby of the main Farmington library during regular library hours.  There will be lots of holiday books for children, adult books, small stocking-stuffer books, and puzzles, all in like-new condition, suitable for holiday gift giving.  The Friends collect donations of books and puzzles throughout the year. Your donations make book sales like this one possible.

 

 

December 6

Winterfest

Avon: The town of Avon, CT, will host its 3rd Annual Winterfest and Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Avon Town Gazebo & Green. The event includes caroling, a “biergarten” in a heated tent, food trucks, vendors, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus for the tree lighting ceremony. It is a fundraising event for the Bottoms Up Patient/Family Support Funds and care packages, and guests should dress for the weather.

 

 

December 6

Christmas in Collinsville 

Collinsville: Christmas in Collinsville takes place Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft Show in the Town Hall Auditorium, Face Painting (11:30 - 1:30 p.m. at Town Hall and 1 -3 p.m. at the Mu

seum), Story Time with Mrs. Claus (11a.m. to 1 p.m. in 

Museum). Balloons, Magician, and The Gallery of Trees at the Canton Historical Museum.

 

December 6

A Children’s Festival with Santa 

& Mrs. Claus

Avon: Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will share stories, lead sing-a-longs  and pose with children for pictures. Also, games with elves, cookie decorating, crafts, snacks and hot cocoa. December 6th, 2 – 4 p.m. Children $15, Adults $10. The Historic Meetinghouse of Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St Avon. Tickets at www.Avon-Church.org or available at the door.

 

December 6

Holiday Tapestries
Farmington: Valley Chorale presents “Holiday Tapestries” a collection of festive carols and lullabies from around the world to celebrate the season. The concert will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2 p.m., First Church of Christ Congregational, 75 Main Street, Farmington, CT.  Melodies from Spanish lullabies to the jubilant sound of the Yoruba language, familiar carols and everything in between will be woven into this tapestry of sound accompanied by harp, guitar, percussion and keyboard. An ideal way to ring in the holiday season! Adult tickets $25.00. Students-free. Tickets available through Eventbrite, at the door on the day of the concert  or on the Farmington Valley Chorale website. For more information, please email info@farmingtonvalleychorale.org.  

 

December 7

Gallery of Trees 

Canton: Canton Historical Society Inc.’s Gallery of Trees returns through Dec. 7. Opening night gala takes place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Other hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. See more at www.canton museum.org or cantonhistoricalmuseum on Facebook. For information on donating a tree, send a message to galleryoftrees@cantonmuseum.org

 

 

December 13

Music at Greenwood: KC Sisters Holiday Extravaganza
Avon: On Saturday, December 13, the KC Sisters will present their beloved Holiday Extravaganza for the first time at St. Matthew Lutheran Church! This fully orchestrated show will remind you of the variety shows of old such as The Andy Williams Family Christmas Show or The Mandrell Sisters variety show with a touch of modern sisterly charm. Afterwards, plan to stay for a light reception. Suggested donation: $10. Join us at 224 Lovely Street, Avon, for lots of holiday fun!

 

December 13

Wreaths Across America

Simsbury: Dec. 13 at 12 p.m. Wreaths Across America will be at 16 Plank Hill Rd Simsbury in Simsbury Cemetery (near the flagpole) to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.

Remember to dress for the weather as it can be a bit windy at the top of Plank Hill Rd and bring a portable chair if necessary. Our ceremony is generally a half hour in length and starts promptly at noon.

Please help our location lay wreaths at as many graves as possible by sponsoring a wreath for a veteran’s grave through the “sponsorship group” CT0025P Or, if you would like to volunteer to participate in the wreath laying ceremony, please click the “Volunteer” button at https://shorturl.at/S2y50. More information is also available at the link. 

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