BB’s Bagels Reopens in Forsyth County After Devastating Fire, Celebrating Community Support and Resilience

Forsyth County’s BB’s Bagels Reopens After Devastating Fire

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — In a heartwarming comeback story, BB’s Bagels has reopened its doors, much to the delight of loyal customers, after a fire devastated its previous location earlier this year. The re-grand opening on August 23 drew hundreds of eager patrons to the new spot at 6835 Shiloh Road East, marking the end of a bagel drought that had left the community longing for its beloved breakfast staple.

As the sun rose on the reopening day, dozens of customers lined up outside the shop, nestled between tool and cabinet businesses in a quiet office park. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as staff members hustled to take orders and ring up customers beneath a glowing Bronx Bagels sign.

“It feels amazing,” said owner Anna Siino, her joy palpable amidst the bustling crowd.

The fire that struck on February 2 gutted the former location on McFarland Parkway, where BB’s had served the community for 18 years. While the cause remains uncertain, Siino suspects it was linked to the vent hoods, which had been cleaned that very day. “We watched many families grow from kids coming in from elementary to high school, getting engaged,” she reflected. “So, that was tough, but finding a new spot was even harder.”

The community rallied around Siino during the challenging months that followed the fire, raising over $76,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. At the reopening, familiar faces filled the shop, with at least 50 regulars returning to celebrate the occasion.

Many of Siino’s staff, who had been with her since the beginning, also returned to work after the hiatus. “We had 30 people employed at the time, and a lot of them were with us from the very beginning, so it was really a rough transition,” she shared.

Siino, a Bronx native, has always had a passion for bagels. After moving to Atlanta and finding the local bagel scene lacking, she decided to take matters into her own hands. “There are a lot of bagel shops, but only a few of us are still doing it the way it should be done,” she said, emphasizing the traditional methods of hand-rolling dough, boiling it, and baking it to perfection.

The result? A light, airy bagel that is crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Popular offerings include breakfast, French toast, and veggie bagels, all of which have garnered a loyal following.

Local customers have taken notice of the quality. Peachtree Corners resident Rebecca Phillips, who has made BB’s a part of her routine for the past six years, expressed her relief at the reopening. “When you toast them, they’re crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They’re delicious,” she said, recalling how she rationed her last bagels after the fire.

Kennesaw resident Shelley Coleburn echoed her sentiments, sharing her lifelong love for BB’s. “They’re warm, and they are gooey,” she said. “You never get skimped on cream cheese.”

Even those who have tasted bagels in New York, like Kendall Bridger, prefer BB’s. “They are fresher and taste better,” she remarked.

While Siino admits she misses the old location, she is excited about the new chapter for BB’s Bagels. The spaciousness of the Shiloh Road site offers new possibilities, and she looks forward to many more years of serving the community. “Before the fire happened, we were like, ‘Oh, we’re going to have a five-year retirement plan,’” she said with a laugh. “But after seven months at home, we’re like, ‘We’re not retiring ever. It’s not happening.’”

As the aroma of freshly baked bagels wafts through the air, it’s clear that BB’s Bagels is back, and the community couldn’t be happier.