London’s most famous bagel shop, which insisted it was not closing, has closed after its Brick Lane premises were apparently requisitioned by its landlord.
The Beigel Shop, an all-night eatery at 155 Brick Lane, known for its bright signage and known as the “Yellow Shop,” has attracted shoppers, clubbers and tourists for generations. It suddenly closed on Tuesday. The notice posted inside appeared to be a restraining order.
A website that was open until last month and advertised the restaurant as “the perfect place for a quick bite, brunch or midnight feast” also appears to have been taken down. One of the owners of the building where the store is located confirmed to the Guardian on Wednesday that he had instructed lawyers to take back ownership of the premises.
Attempts to contact the bagel shop were unsuccessful. It is unclear whether the store, which billed itself as “Britain’s first and best” bagel bakery, will reopen. A message to customers on the company’s Instagram account says it will be “shortly closed to perform critical electrical maintenance” and promises it will “be back before you know it.”
The apparent seizure of the bakery and retailer, first reported by MailOnline, appears to have ended a 169-year run in bagel making in London’s East End.
Before disappearing from view, the brand’s website read: “Founded in 1855, The Bagel Shop was the original and first bagel bakery to open on Brick Lane. Since then, this landmark establishment has continued to embrace the historic flavors and traditions of the Jewish East End, as well as its evolving We continue to mix and match the flavors of our multicultural community.”
The current 24-hour store has been around in one form or another since 1987, when two Israeli-born brothers took over what was then Evering Bakery from the previous Israeli owner.
According to its old website, the store specialized in hot salt beef, salmon, cream cheese, chicken and salad bagels and boasted, “That’s right. We’re never closing!”
Despite advertising, the store has previously closed.
In 2014, London’s daily newspaper Evening Standard reported how the restaurant reopened “after briefly closing due to a family dispute.”
At the time, the paper added: “The owner of the bagel shop and the freeholder of the building are understood to be negotiating a financial settlement, but have agreed that it is in everyone’s best interests to reopen.”
“A ‘warrant of possession’ from the Superior Court Sheriff’s Office was posted on the door of the store, dated May 12, stating that it was a crime to attempt to enter the premises.”
