Bagel Plaza Celebrates 50 Years in Merrick

Bagel Plaza, the first bagel store on the South Shore of Long Island, is celebrating 50 years in Merrick. 

Sam Asatur, who has been the owner of the business for 21 years, credits the community for the eatery's long-standing success.

"I have customers with me who were here before I came in and when Merrick was just developing," he said. "They come from Freeport, Long Beach, Oceanside, Syosset and of course Bellmore and Merrick." 

According to its website, Bagel Plaza opened on Merrick Road in 1962. The founder, who came from a generation of bakers, brought his recipe of bagels from Eastern Europe. 

Once with a small variety of items, the eatery now sells more than 50 kinds of bagels, an array of cream cheeses, salads and baked goods. 

Asatur said that the "Grandpa Special," a sandwich with sliced Nova, smooth white fish and egg salad, is his favorite.

"The reason we are still here is because we serve a quality product," he said. "We care about what we serve." 

Asatur said that he looks forward to continuing to feed his customers for many more years to come. 

"I plan to keep my customers happy so they keep coming back," he said.