Mark Martone says he has eaten a bagel every morning for the past decade. That is either a red flag or a qualification, and in his case it turned into a business plan.
Martone is the owner of Company Bagel, a grab-and-go counter on Ossington that was scheduled to debut on October 16. He does not claim loyalty to any one bagel shop in the city, which may be why he feels free to carve out a lane of his own in Toronto’s slowly growing bagel scene. The shop leads with sourdough bagels, and the opening menu centres on a tight list of open-faced sandwiches built with locally or Canadian-sourced ingredients, plus rotating specials.
For anyone who prefers to build their own breakfast at home, bulk bagels are available to go in the four classics: plain, poppy, sesame and everything.
The appeal here is the restraint. Rather than launching with a sprawling menu, Company Bagel is betting on a short list done well, a formula that has worked for plenty of successful Toronto counters. On a street better known for late-night cocktail bars, a morning stop for fresh bagels adds a welcome counterpoint to Ossington’s after-dark reputation.
If you are the type who has strong opinions about crumb, chew and the correct amount of salt, you will want to form your own verdict.
Swing by Company Bagel on your next Ossington stroll, grab a dozen for the weekend and tell us your go-to order in the comments.