In bagel shop-starved KC, news of Luca Bagel Co.’s slated brick-and-mortar is particularly welcome. The popular New Jersey-style bagel pop-up has been operating for three years and has become so popular that, according to owner Luke Salvatore, a permanent space is the natural next step.
Salvatore and his brother Aaron missed the New York-style and Sicilian pizza they grew up on in Providence, Rhode Island, so just over a decade ago they opened Providence Pizza in Grandview. They later expanded to Westport.
Then, post COVID, Salvatore yearned for New Jersey-style bagels – another childhood favorite during summers visiting family on the Jersey Shore.
But you don’t just make a few of the labor-intensive treats, he said, you make dozens at a time and share them. “People said, ‘These are really good.’”
“If I’m going to make them, I’m going to sell them.”
So three years ago, he opened Luca Bagel Co. as an alternating Saturday pop-up at the two Providence Pizza restaurants. He named it after his now 4-year-old son, and an Italian town, Lucca, that has personal significance.
Luca Bagel would sell out in two to three hours. Now customers have to preorder for pickup.
Salvatore later added a pop-up at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market where lines formed before the 7:30 a.m. opening on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
“It was an ongoing test. I wanted to make sure there was an adequate demand,” he said.
But the number one question from customers was: “Do you have a store?”
Then when they learned he did not, the follow-up would be: “You need a store.”
Now he’s doing just that.
Salvatore is taking a first floor space in an East Brookside building (633 E. 63rd St., Suite 110). BKS Artisan Ales has the majority of the first floor.
Mattie’s Foods has operated at Suite 110 for more than four years. The owners couldn’t be reached for comment but the company’s voicemail says, “Unfortunately, we have chosen to close our brick-and-mortar so you will only be able to find us at www.mattiesfoods.com for catering and food truck services.”
The building’s redeveloper and landlord, Butch Rigby, also confirmed the closing. While Mattie’s is currently closed, its food truck remains in front of the restaurant.
“It’s an excellent location and (Luca Bagel) will be a great addition to the neighborhood,” Rigby said.
Since a food operation was previously in the East Brookside space, it is nearly a turnkey transfer. Salvatore hopes to open Luca Bagel Co. there in April or May with some indoor seating.
“I’m always asking, ‘Is there an opportunity here?’” he said. “To me the pop-ups are like you are always catering. Let’s make a home for this thing.”
The bagels are currently produced at the Grandview restaurant. So Salvatore works around the hours of his pizza business.
“It is inherently difficult when you are competing for space with pizza, competing with myself and working off-hours,” he said.
Now he will be able to bake fresh bagels throughout the day. The dedicated kitchen also will allow him to expand the menu with “far more sandwiches” for breakfast and lunch, along with pastries and other baked goods, coffee and “some surprises.” Customers are already requesting pizza be a selection.
Luca bagels are currently $2.50 each and come in a dozen flavors, including plain, pumpernickel, cheddar serrano, asiago, blueberry, and chocolate chip. Schmears include blueberry, hot honey, lox and scallions.
A pretzel bagel special last fall was so popular it will probably make the permanent roster.
Salvatore also cranked out new bagel egg sandwiches on a 36-inch Blackstone grill at the Farmers Market and despite the limited equipment he sold 150 sandwiches in a 3-hour period.
“We are opening and seeing what comes and what the business is like. I think there is a good deal of excitement,” he said. “Then we will see what else we can take on. We’ve established an amazing customer base in Overland Park so I will be looking on the Kansas side if things progress.”
Sheryl Vickers of Select Sites handled the lease negotiations for Luca Bagel Co. Vickers also did the negotiations for the Providence Pizza location in Westport.
