By: Najla Alexander
Carteret officials announced that the Honorable Carteret Mayor Daniel J. Reiman recently helped celebrate the grand opening of Roosevelt Bagel Factory with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official grand opening.
Mayor Reiman said that the long-awaited bagel shop is more than just a local breakfast and lunch location.
“It’s a family business, a father-and-son operation that reflects culture, hard work, and pride, and features fresh bagels, loaded breakfast sandwiches, and much more,” the Mayor said.
“Co-owner Charlie Junior is leading a true father-and-son operation here in Carteret with more than a decade of experience in the bagel and deli business. Many of the residents and workers in Carteret have been longing for a great bagel shop and deli and now have one in the Roosevelt Bagel Factory, adding immensely to our local business community.”
Junior previously owned and operated Charlie’s Bagel & Deli, a successful shop in Woodbridge, before expanding his vision and opening the Roosevelt Bagel Factory, officials say.
He said he saw there was a real need for a modern bagel and deli spot in Carteret.
“People were always traveling out of town to my Woodbridge location just to get a good bagel,” Junior said.
“It definitely motivated me to open Roosevelt Bagel Factory and bring something fresh and new to the community. Carteret is a growing town with great people, and I saw the potential right away. I wanted to be part of something that was growing and contribute to a community that could truly benefit from what we offer.
“After over a decade of success, it was time for a new chapter to build something even bigger and better, and more aligned with my long-term vision,” he continued.
“That’s how Roosevelt Bagel Factory was born.”
Junior said the feedback he has gotten from the community has been amazing. Many customers tell him how happy they are that they finally have a bagel shop right here in town, he said.
“Customers love the fresh food, friendly atmosphere, and modern twist we bring,” Junior said. “It’s been exciting to see so much positive energy from the community.”
Junior, a Metuchen resident, was born in Harlem and is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, Carteret officials said.
Carteret officials stated that he moved to New Jersey at a young age and has been working hard ever since to build a business for his family, one bagel at a time.
“I’m here every day working hard and getting to know the town and its people,” Junior said. “I have a lot of respect for Carteret and definitely feel connected to the community. I know what it’s like to build a life through hard work and dedication, and that spirit is what I bring into my business.”
Charlie said he takes a great deal of direction from his father, Charlie Sr., who has many years of kitchen expertise.
Charlie Sr. has helped out whenever he’s needed in both Carteret and Woodbridge, Junior said.
"It’s always been a family operation from the very beginning,” Junior said. “We’ve built everything through hard work and strong family values.”
Junior now has a family of his own.
Carteret officials stated that his 7-month-old daughter was born shortly after he opened Roosevelt Bagel Factory.
“Balancing a brand new business and a newborn hasn’t been easy, but I’m truly thankful for my wife’s strength and support throughout it all,” he said. “Everything I’m building now is for our family’s future, and hopefully one day, she’ll be part of it too.”
Located at 695 Roosevelt Ave., Roosevelt Bagel Factory is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more info and to place an order, call 732-366-2808 or click rooseveltbf.com/.