The saga of Upper West Side carbo-institute H&H Bagels carries on today, with news that one neighborhood man, clearly schvitzing over the entire ordeal, is planning a "Preserve H&H" rally today at Riverside Park.
James Besser, who we originally met last week during our trip to the store on its (supposedly) final day, has been distributing the flyers seen above across the neighborhood. West Side Rag snapped the quick pic, noting that it might take more than a looseleaf flyer to raise the $347,813 in back rent that the store owes. As of right now, the store is scheduled to close today, though lawyers said they're working on securing an extension.
"People come from all over the world to eat those bagels," Besser told the Wall Street Journal. "People think of the Upper West Side and they think of bagels. It's like going to Paris for croissants." Indeed, there is nothing quite like the romance of a bagel and schmear.
UPDATE: West Side Rag got word from H & H's owner this morning:
Hello everyone, The owner of H&H Bagels and I have agreed to use tonight’s meeting to form a committee to preserve the Upper West Side. The goals are to support mom-and-pop stores and promote small town values. Please join me at 7 P.M. inside Riverside Park — entrance on West 83rd Street. Free bagels! Please spread this information on the Internet.
