Charleston has opinions about food. Strong ones.
So when a bagel brand racks up more than 9,000 likes before even opening its doors, that’s not hype — that’s momentum.
Enter PopUp Bagels, the social-media-powered bagel shop with hundreds of thousands of followers and a rabid fan base that stretches far beyond New York. According to the Post & Courier, Charleston is the latest stop in the brand’s ambitious expansion — part of a plan to grow to 300 stores over the next four years (Post & Courier).
From home baking to national buzz
PopUp Bagels began the way many pandemic success stories did: quietly, and at home.
Founder Adam Goldberg started baking bagels in Westport, Connecticut, in the summer of 2020. Friends and family approved. Word spread. Soon, Goldberg launched a subscription service and began hosting pop-ups around New York City. The concept — fresh-from-the-oven bagels, no sandwiches, no shortcuts — took off.
Fast forward a few years, and PopUp Bagels now operates locations across California, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina, with Charleston next in line.
Where it’s landing
The Charleston location will open at 83 Mary St., right near the heart of downtown — a spot primed for morning lines and Instagram stories.
And while an official opening date hasn’t been announced yet, a PopUp Bagels representative confirmed to the Post & Courier that plans are in motion (Post & Courier).
What makes these bagels different
PopUp Bagels is known for what it calls “crispy crusts, soft crumb centers and an ideal proportion of seeds,” a description that has traveled fast online and off (Post & Courier).
The shop famously does not make sandwiches.
Instead, the focus is on the bagel itself — served hot, straight from the oven — paired with a rotating lineup of schmears. Expect classics alongside playful flavors like lemon pepper cream cheese and buffalo butter (Post & Courier).
That simplicity has earned serious praise. Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer has called PopUp Bagels among the best he’s ever tried, and the brand has twice won best overall bagel at New York BagelFest (Post & Courier).
A preview for Charleston
Charleston won’t have to wait long for a first taste.
According to the Post & Courier, Lowcountry residents who are 21 and older can sample plain, everything, and salt bagels at a preview event at Republic Garden & Lounge on Upper King Street at 9 p.m. on Jan. 31 (Post & Courier).
For updates on the grand opening and other pre-launch events, PopUp Bagels encourages fans to follow along on Instagram at @popupbagels.
Charleston loves a good food story.
This one’s just getting started — and it smells like fresh bread.
This is a summary of an article published in the Post & Courier. Click here if you’d like to read that article.
