Barry Greenblatt, founder of Barry Bagels, dies at 65

Barry Greenblatt opened the first Barry Bagels as the Bagel Place in Sylvania in 1972.

Barry Greenblatt, founder of Barry Bagels, has died, a spokesman for the Toledo-based bagel franchise said today.

Mr. Greenblatt, 65, died on Thursday night.

A native of Detroit, Mr. Greenblatt opened the first Barry Bagels as the Bagel Place in Sylvania in 1972 with partner and bagel-maker Peter Johnson. Flavored cream cheese, deli-style bagel sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts — even baked potatoes — soon found their way onto the menu.

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In 1979, he opened a store in Westgate Shopping Center store in Toledo. Next came one in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1983, followed by stores in Perrysburg in 1992 and Maumee in 1997, and a sixth location was recently opened in Lambertville.

“The Toledo market has been very good to us, and we’ve enjoyed being here 40 years. We have very loyal customers, and we’re good with the community and the community has helped support us,” Mr. Greenblatt said in a 2012 interview with The Blade.

Earlier this year, Barry Bagels announced its plan to open five stores in the Columbus area.