A popular Portland bagel maker could be on its way to Westbrook, setting up a wholesale production facility and serving breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
Union Bagel Co., which is located on 147 Cumberland St. in Portland, is eyeing a second location at 9 Cumberland St. in Westbook, a vacant building next to the Siam Square Thai restaurant. It was most recently Eddie’s Eatery.
Union Bagel Co. owner Paul Farrell said this week he’s still in the early stages of planning for a potential Westbrook location. However, he said, “There is a lot about Westbrook that is appealing overall and the site I’m exploring.”
The company appeared on the Westbrook Planning Board agenda Tuesday, requesting a light manufacturing use for the property, which requires a special exception permit. According to the meeting agenda, the operation proposed is “wholesale bagel production with retail bagel, sandwich, and coffee sales.”
The bakery produces bagels using only organic flour, according to its website. The company’s existing wholesale operation bakes bagels for coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores all over the state, to more than 20 locations.
Westbrook City Planner Jennie Franceschi said one of the items discussed with the Planning Board is deliveries made to the business from tractor-trailer trucks. She said it is a “tight site.” It’s also located in the Main Street traffic triangle and near the notoriously dangerous intersection of Main Street and Warren Avenue.
Farrell presented a sketch plan to the board Tuesday, taking feedback from board members and city staff, and is expected to return to the board with a final site plan application in the next few months.
According to Bill Baker, Westbrook’s assistant city administrator for business and community relations, Union Bagel was looking to increase its production with the wholesale focus, and Baker and Farrell discussed Westbrook as an option.
“We are thrilled about his decision to pursue this lease and a great use for that building,” he said.
Black Dinah Chocolatiers, a small business with a similar business model, moved to Westbrook last year, opening a production facility with a small retail operation.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.