Original Bagel Company

For many in New Jersey, the quest for an authentic New York style bagel is a serious one. The good news is that a significant player in the world of bagels, the Original Bagel Company, operates its state-of-the-art bakery right here in West Caldwell, NJ. While not a retail storefront where you'd grab a single bagel and coffee, this facility is the engine behind millions of delicious bagels enjoyed across the country, embodying the true essence of a "craft bakery dedicated to making authentic New York style bagels from scratch."

The Original Bagel Company has a rich history that began in 1996 when co-founders Bruce Levenbrook and Ron Harris transformed a former Pepsi distribution building into their bagel-making hub. Over nearly two decades, they've perfected their scratch-baking operation, creating a facility that combines baking, cold storage, and offices under one roof, just 20 miles from New York City. This strategic location in West Caldwell underscores New Jersey's vital role in the food production and distribution industry for the broader tri-state area.

What sets Original Bagel Company apart, and what makes their bagels so highly sought after, is their unwavering focus on quality and traditional methods. They are renowned for their "New York kettle-boiled, hearth-baked bagels," a process that results in the signature light crisp outside and soft, chewy center that true bagel aficionados crave. This commitment to authenticity ensures that even after being frozen and thawed, as noted by one delighted customer who found their bagels in an upstate NY Stewart's, the quality remains remarkably consistent – a testament to their superior product.

The sheer scale of their operation is impressive, with the company selling over 2 million bagels weekly across all major channels of distribution. This means that many of the delicious bagels enjoyed by New Jersey residents, whether from their local supermarket, a favorite deli, or a foodservice establishment, might very well have originated from this West Caldwell facility. They continually invest in modern equipment and processes, like their DualBlastTM dual-spiral blast freezer, to enhance quality and increase capacity, all while maintaining their core values of scratch baking and environmental responsibility. They've proactively eliminated environmentally unfriendly refrigerants and installed solar panels, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability that aligns with modern consumer values.

In essence, Original Bagel Company is a powerhouse of bagel production in New Jersey, meticulously crafting authentic New York style bagels that reach plates far and wide. Their facility in West Caldwell is a testament to the blend of traditional baking artistry with modern efficiency, providing high-quality bagels that continue to earn rave reviews from those who discover them, even far from their Garden State home base.

The Original Bagel Company is strategically located at 2 Fairfield Crescent, West Caldwell, NJ 07006, USA. This address places it within a dynamic industrial and commercial area of West Caldwell, a borough in Essex County, New Jersey. The location is particularly well-suited for a large-scale bakery and distribution operation due to its excellent access to major transportation networks.

Fairfield Crescent, while a local road, connects directly to broader avenues and is part of a commercial zone designed to accommodate logistical operations. For commercial trucks, as noted in customer reviews (from the perspective of truck drivers), the access involves navigating through an industrial park. It's described as requiring careful maneuvering ("tight so you fast guy slow down," "watch for dropped trailers and cars"), but ultimately "doable." This indicates that the facility is set up for efficient, though sometimes challenging, freight movement.

For the average New Jersey resident, this means that while the facility isn't a retail storefront, its products are highly accessible. West Caldwell itself is well-connected to major state routes, including Route 46, Route 23, and Interstate 80, which are vital arteries for commerce and travel across Northern New Jersey. This strategic positioning allows Original Bagel Company to efficiently distribute its vast output of bagels to supermarkets, delis, and foodservice establishments throughout the state and beyond.

The facility's design includes specific areas for receiving and shipping, with clear instructions for truckers, emphasizing its role as a high-volume distribution hub. The mention of "employee parking" also points to its function as a significant employer within the local community. While a consumer might not typically visit this exact address to buy a single bagel, its location ensures that Original Bagel Company's products are widely available and accessible in retail locations across New Jersey.

The Original Bagel Company in West Caldwell, NJ, operates primarily as a large-scale wholesale bakery and distribution center, rather than a direct retail shop. Their services are geared towards providing high-quality, authentic New York style bagels and other baked goods to a broad network of commercial clients. Key services and product offerings include:

• Production of Authentic New York Style Bagels: Their core service involves crafting bagels from scratch using traditional methods, including kettle-boiling and hearth-baking, ensuring a light crisp outside and a soft, chewy center.
• Wide Variety of Bagel Flavors: They produce a diverse range of bagel varieties, including plain, everything, blueberry, wheat, cinnamon raisin, French toast, jalapeno, sesame seed, chocolate chip, egg, garlic, very berry, honey wheat, sun-dried tomato, poppy seed, whole wheat, pumpernickel, onion, ancient grain, and marble bagels.
• Wholesale Bagel Supply: They are a market-leading producer of wholesale bagels, supplying to various major channels of distribution, including:
  • Supermarkets/Hypermarkets: Providing retail-bagged and bulk bagels for in-store bakeries and shelf sales.
  • Foodservice Purveyors: Supplying bagels to restaurants, diners, cafes, and other foodservice operations.
  • Convenience Stores: Offering their products for quick-serve environments.
  • Club Stores: Large-volume sales to warehouse club retailers.
• Frozen and Par-Baked Bagels: They offer "par-baked" bagels that can be finished "freezer-to-oven" for a fresh-baked taste, as well as thaw-and-serve options, providing convenience for their commercial clients.
• Mini Bagels: Available in 12-count bags, either sliced or unsliced, catering to different serving needs.
• Private Labeling Capabilities: They offer private labeling, allowing other businesses to market Original Bagel products under their own brand.
• Large-Scale Distribution: Operating with a robust cold storage and logistics system, they efficiently distribute millions of bagels weekly across North America.
• Quality Control and Traceability: They have invested in systems for formula control and inventory management, ensuring consistent product quality and complete lot and batch traceability from ingredients to finished product.
• Other Bakery Products: In addition to bagels, they also produce high-quality cakes and brownies for their wholesale clients, as part of their broader "Tribute Baking Company" affiliation.

Original Bagel Company in West Caldwell possesses several key features and highlights that establish its prominence and appeal, particularly for those who appreciate high-quality bagels:

• Authentic New York Style Bagels: This is their defining characteristic. Their commitment to kettle-boiling and hearth-baking, along with scratch recipes, ensures a truly authentic New York bagel experience, known for its light crisp outside and soft, chewy center.
• Superior Post-Freeze Quality: A significant highlight, as noted by customer reviews, is that their bagels retain their excellent taste and texture even after being frozen and thawed multiple times. This is crucial for their extensive distribution network.
• Massive Production & Distribution Scale: Producing over 2 million bagels weekly and distributing them across all major channels (supermarkets, foodservice, convenience stores, club stores) demonstrates their impressive operational capacity and market leadership.
• Extensive Product Variety: Offering a wide range of bagel flavors, including various plain, everything, and specialty options, along with mini bagels, caters to diverse consumer preferences.
• Strategic Location & Logistics: Their West Caldwell facility, just 20 miles from NYC and with good access to major highways, is optimally positioned for efficient raw material intake and widespread product distribution.
• Commitment to Quality Control: Continuous investment in modern equipment (like the DualBlastTM freezer) and internal systems for formula control and traceability underscore their dedication to consistent quality and food safety.
• Environmental Responsibility: Proactive measures like eliminating environmentally unfriendly refrigerants, switching to energy-saving lighting, and installing solar panels demonstrate a commitment to reducing their environmental impact, a valuable trait for modern consumers.
• Trusted Wholesale Partner: Their ability to offer private labeling and supply to major retailers and foodservice providers highlights their reliability and trusted position within the commercial baked goods industry.

As the Original Bagel Company facility at 2 Fairfield Crescent, West Caldwell, NJ, operates primarily as a production and distribution center, direct retail sales to the public are not its main function. The contact information provided is for their corporate operations, typically for business inquiries, sales, or logistics.

Address: 2 Fairfield Crescent, West Caldwell, NJ 07006, USA

Phone: (973) 227-5777

Mobile Phone: +1 973-227-5777

For specific operational contacts within the company, their website lists individuals such as the Logistics Manager, CEO, President, COO, Accounting, and National Sales Manager, each with direct extensions and/or mobile numbers. This indicates that inquiries are typically handled at a corporate or sales level rather than through a public retail counter.

Truck drivers or commercial partners should consult their specific appointment instructions for receiving and shipping details, as these industrial facilities often have strict protocols. For the general public looking to purchase Original Bagel Company products, they are best sought through local supermarkets, delis, and other retail outlets that carry their brand.

For New Jersey residents, the Original Bagel Company in West Caldwell is supremely suitable, not as a neighborhood bagel shop for daily walk-ins, but as the powerful, behind-the-scenes engine that consistently delivers authentic, high-quality bagels to their tables. Its impact on local life is significant, even if not immediately apparent.

Firstly, and most importantly for any New Jerseyan, this facility is a primary source for genuinely authentic New York style bagels. The company's dedication to kettle-boiling and hearth-baking ensures that the bagels purchased from local grocery stores, delis, or even enjoyed at various foodservice establishments across the state maintain that desirable crisp exterior and chewy interior. This means that locals don't have to venture far to experience a truly superior bagel, a staple of the New Jersey breakfast and lunch scene.

Secondly, the Original Bagel Company is a significant local employer. Its large-scale production and distribution operation in West Caldwell creates numerous jobs for residents in various capacities, from production and quality control to logistics and administration. This direct contribution to the local economy strengthens the community, providing stable employment opportunities and reinforcing New Jersey's role as a hub for food manufacturing and distribution.

Moreover, the company's commitment to quality control and its investment in sustainable practices (like solar panels and eco-friendly refrigeration) align with the values of many environmentally conscious New Jersey consumers. Knowing that the bagels they enjoy are produced by a company that prioritizes both product excellence and environmental responsibility adds an extra layer of appeal.

Finally, the sheer availability of Original Bagel Company products, thanks to their extensive distribution network originating from this West Caldwell facility, means convenience for locals. Whether you're grabbing a bag from the supermarket, picking up a sandwich at a deli, or enjoying a catered event, the likelihood of encountering a delicious Original Bagel is high, underscoring its pervasive and positive presence in the New Jersey food landscape. In essence, Original Bagel Company, from its West Caldwell base, acts as a crucial culinary provider, economic contributor, and quality guarantor for the entire New Jersey community.

Original Bagel Company

2 Fairfield Crescent, West Caldwell, NJ 07006, USA