With the relocation of Georgie Bagels from Loyalsock Township's Golden Strip to Williamsport, general manager Dennis Zapata has high hopes that the business will begin seeing its best days.
"It's a better location," Zapata said. "The people in Loyalsock didn't know we were there."
For many years, the building at West Third and Maynard streets sat idle.
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MIKE?REUTHER/Sun-Gazette
Employees sort bagels at the new location of Georgie Bagels, which is relocating from Loyalsock Township to the city’s Maynard Street, after extensive renovations to the new site.
But in the past year, the Georgie Bagel sign went up on the building, and the site began to take shape.
Finally, after many months of preparation, the business opened up in July.
"This is the main site we looked for," Zapata said. "I like it that there's room for the drive-thru, and it's 400 feet from Penn College. Plus, the patio will give it a nice look."
Zapata wanted to keep the business in the local area, and preferably in Williamsport, the biggest population center of Lycoming County.
"From a business standpoint, it made sense," he said.
Located just west of downtown Williamsport and east of the college, Zapata looks to draw on a diverse customer base.
And the diverse offering of bagels should satisfy any tastes.
Customers can sample among the following bagels: plain, sesame, blueberry, whole wheat, garlic, cinnamon, pumpernickel, egg, salt, and poppy.
Sandwiches include bacon, lettuce and tomato, and cheesesteaks.
Zapata feels the cheesesteaks can't be beat.
But the bagels truly are special, he said.
"What makes it (business) unique is its authentic New York style bagel," he said. "We boil and bake them."
Zapata said he's got high hopes for the drive-thru motorists can use.
"There's only one other bagel shop I know of with a drive-thru in Pennsylvania," he said.
Georgie Bagels seats about 30 people, not including the patio on the west side of the business.
Right now, Zapata is serving early morning customers on their way to work as well as others who stop in for lunch or later in the day.
"There's not one single busy time," he said.
The business will soon make available an app to allow customers to order bagels and other food with their Smart Phones.
The business offers free WiFi for customers.
Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
Zapata hopes to extend those hours with the start-up of nearby Penn College.
"Our goal is to be open 24 hours a day," he said.
A grand opening is set for Aug. 18.
