‘Bagelista’ becomes new owner of Everything Bagels

Soldotna’s six-year-old bagel-slinging shop, Everything Bagels, came into new ownership earlier this year as founder Pamela Parker sold it to long-time “bagelista” turned owner Abbi Suprick.

Since 2016, Everything Bagels has been a constant presence in Soldotna, opening first in the Blazy Mall, before moving to a space between The Fitness Place and Beemun’s Variety in 2018, where it still resides. A Kenai location was opened several years ago, but closed eight months later.

Suprick started working for Parker in 2018, and she said “it was one of my first actual jobs.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Suprick said things changed for her pretty quickly. Suddenly, she found herself taking on a leadership role and working with management. That role only grew as Parker adopted children, and “kind of took a step back,” Suprick said.

“She was like, ‘Is this something that you want to do forever?’ I wasn’t sure,” Suprick said. “But I fell in love with doing it, and I hope that I get to do this forever.”

Suprick’s passion for the store is still hot, even after four years and a pretty radical shift in her relationship to it. She said her favorite bagel is the jalapeno cheddar.

Suprick became co-owner of Everything Bagels in May, then took complete ownership last month.

That transition period, Suprick said, was always part of the plan. It gave her the opportunity to step up and learn quickly. A lot of the work came easy, she said, as she had been taking on responsibility for a while, but Suprick said the financials trip her up a little bit.

“From the minute I started working here, I liked to put my all into it. I was here all the time, anything she needed I would do. Now, it’s just kind of me worrying about it,” Suprick said. “This is my life now, I have these employees, and I’ve got to make sure that they’re able to live their lives and I’m able to pay them.”

Suprick said she wants to expand Everything Bagels’ presence in the community. Part of that effort is a Thanksgiving event at which free hot dinners will be offered to those in need. The dinner is being held in memory of Suprick’s father, who passed away earlier this year.

“It’s the first holiday without my dad. We wanted to be able to do something positive,” Suprick said. “We want to be like a family for everyone.”

Suprick said her father, Michael, “would do anything for anybody.”

“I know he would want us to have something positive out of this.”

Meals are free, with “no questions asked,” and Suprick said they’re not putting a limit on how many people they can feed. Suprick said her grandmother donated a lot of food, and they’ve received other donations and support from the community.

There will be turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, “sweet potato marshmallow things that my Mom knows how to make,” green bean casserole, and a dessert made by a member of the Everything Bagels staff.

“If we run out of food, we’ll just give them all the bagels in the fridge. As long as we’re able to help,” she said.

Suprick is asking people to call ahead, at 907-252-8153. No one will be turned away, even if they walk in on Thanksgiving, but she said they’re doing everything they can to track how many folks are coming so everyone gets food.

Building her own relationship with the local community is something Suprick said is a priority.

“Everybody knew Pam, so I’m hoping they can get that relationship with me,” she said. “If somebody needs something, they can come to us, we want to be a family in the community. Most of my family works here, so we’re gonna be a little family business for everybody.”

Looking forward, Suprick said, “I hope there’s more Everything Bagels.”

More information about Everything Bagels and the Thanksgiving Dinner can be found on Facebook or Instagram. Thanksgiving Dinner will be on Thanksgiving from 4-7:30 p.m., and those in need are asked to call 907-252-8135.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.