'Once Upon a Bagel' in Winnetka Holds Grand Opening

The Winnetka location is the 5th on the North Shore for the family-owned business.

Once Upon a Bagel has officially opened the doors of its Winnetka location, holding a grand opening last Thursday. The business had a soft opening late December, opening its doors for the public shortly before the holiday season. The Winnetka space is the 5th location for the family-run chain — which includes another Once Upon a Bagel location in Highland Park, Once Upon a Grill and Once Upon a Deli in Northbrook and the Mean Wiener in Highwood. Gerry and Steve Geffen, the father-and-son team who own the North Shore chain, chose to open a location in Winnetka because of supportiveness of the community. “It’s a close-knit community,” Steve Geffen said. “Everyone wants everyone else do to do well. … We felt the most comfortable in this …

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Once Upon a Bagel Opening Winnetka Location Next Week

After a year of planning and construction, the restaurant is expected to open Dec. 4. There are currently locations in Highland Park and Northbrook.

Once Upon a Bagel Opening Winnetka Location Next Week

After a year of planning and construction, the restaurant is expected to open Dec. 4. There are currently locations in Highland Park and Northbrook.

Soon fans of Once Upon a Bagel's lox, soups, potato salad and namesake bagels won't have to travel to Highland Park or Northbrook to get their fix. “We have people who come from Winnetka (to Highland Park) all the time that tell us that they’re waiting for the location to open so they can go there instead of coming all the way out here,” said owner Steve Geffen. Geffen said increased demand from Chicago and throughout the North Shore had made him decide to expand more than a year ago, and that he thought that Winnetka would be a good place to do it. His third location is set to open Dec. 4. “It’s got the same feel for us as Highland Park does," he said. "It’s a family type feeling. It’s a small community that’s pretty well knit and close…

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Betsy and Sal

Yom Kippur: Not So Fast

If Yom Kippur is a time for reflection, what are we really thinking about?

Kugels are an important exercise Jewish women perform on a regular basis in order to keep their men happy. Well, maybe not on a regular basis, but at least around the High Holidays. And the more kids you’ve had, the more kugels you need to do. Sure, to the untrained eye, Yom Kippur, or The Day of Atonement, is about deep reflection, making amends for sins against God, and about editing out every possible element that might distract one from the task at hand. The rules are severe: no eating, no drinking, no washing, no wearing make-up, no leather shoes, no sex. It’s a lot not to do. Other than the deprivation of physical pleasure, it is distracting not to think about all we are not eating. Really, we could have a much better conversation …

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