From the mountains of Guatemala to the shores of Newnan’s Lake, the impact of a small Gainesville bagel shop stretches far beyond its front counter.
The Bagel Bakery has become a model of community-driven business, supporting Guatemalan coffee farmers through long standing relationships while investing in local organizations like Gainesville Area Rowing and YoungLife. Under original owner Ken Rembert and now new owner Jason Cole, that mission has remained the same: use a simple business to create meaningful change, both across the world and right at home.
The mission began in 1999, when Rembert opened the Bagel Bakery after the sale of his father’s convenience store left him searching for his next step. Originally operating under the Chesapeake Bagel franchise, Rembert later bought out his agreement and transitioned the shop into an independent business…