A Bagel & A Shmeer Receives Warm Welcome

East Meadow Chamber of Commerce representatives, including president Dolores Rome, helped longtime resident Kariene Aghabekian celebrate the grand opening of A Bagel & A Shmeer during a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 22.

Aghabekian, who admits she had an opportunity to set up shop elsewhere, chose East Meadow because she wanted to give back to a community that has given so much to her family. Aghabekian's two daughters attended McVey Elementary School, Woodland Middle School and East Meadow High School.

“What better place to settle down than where my children have grown up,” she said. “People in East Meadow are amazing, and always give me a warm, welcoming feeling.”

Hempstead Town supervisor Kate Murray, councilman Gary Hudes and town clerk Nasrin Ahmad also joined Aghabekian and her staff at the ceremony.

“I can think of no greater Town of Hempstead success story than a resident opening a business in their very own community,” Murray said.

Councilman Hudes added, “It’s encouraging that a local resident chose to open their business in their own community and has developed a niche business. It’s not a typical bagel store, but one that carries unique spreads and offers a different catering opportunity.”

Aghabekian's "shmeer of the week" is a light arugla and dill with diced cucumbers and golden raisins. Sweet shmeers are an apple coffee cake and yogurt balls, made with cherry and strawberry and covered with cashews and walnuts.

A Bagel & A Shmeer is located at 532 East Meadow Avenue.