Former New Yorkers Amanda Klein and Michael Klein share the story behind bringing iconic brand H&H Bagels to Chapel Hill
By Lauren Rouse | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Before sunrise on opening day, a line formed outside H&H Bagels, stretching along the University Place storefronts and wrapping around Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. More than 100 people bundled up in coats and scarves three hours before the iconic New York shop served its first bagel.
Local owners Michael Klein and Amanda Klein opened H&H Bagels on Jan. 15, bringing the franchise to North Carolina. The couple met in Central Park while training for an Ironman triathlon and later lived just across the street from H&H’s Upper East Side location, which became a regular stop during their early years together. “On Sunday afternoons following a long run in the park, an everything bagel scooped and toasted with veggie cream cheese and tomato became synonymous with what we defined as home,” Michael says.
The Kleins moved to Durham in 2013 and eventually saw an opportunity to bring their favorite New York-style bagels to a region with so many Northeast transplants. “The number of former New Yorkers who have come in and have stories about their time with H&H, how much they miss it and how excited they are that we’re here has been really fulfilling,” Michael says. “We’re also excited to bring the bagels to those who haven’t had one before.”
The menu features kettle-boiled bagels, spreads and made-to-order sandwiches. A top seller is the bacon, egg and cheese – with a freshly cracked egg – while the Nova salmon, complete with tomatoes, onions and capers, draws a nostalgic response from those who grew up with the brand. An unexpected favorite – strawberry cream cheese on a blueberry bagel – quickly emerged among UNC students. “The strawberry cream cheese is made with real strawberries,” Amanda says. “There really aren’t any corners that we cut in terms of fresh ingredients.”
The shop also serves a custom coffee blend developed for H&H by Wisconsin based Ruby Coffee Roasters. After several family visits to the Big Apple, Michael and Amanda’s children, Sam Klein, 10, and Rylan Klein, 8, truly appreciate getting the NYC bagel experience in their home state. “Sam enjoys our scallion BT sandwich with scallion cream cheese, bacon and tomato while Rylan is a classic bacon, egg and cheese girl – with well-done bacon, of course,” Michael says.
After the warm welcome they received in Chapel Hill, the Kleins eventually plan to open four more locations across the Triangle. In the meantime, they remain hands-on in the day to day, spending much of their time in the shop and getting to know customers as they come through the door. “I’ve really been enjoying working the cash register,” Amanda says. “It’s great interacting with people and hearing all the combinations that everyone’s ordering.” For the Kleins, their work goes beyond bagels – it’s about building something personal, one regular at a time.
