PopUp Bagels to open first Rhode Island location in Cranston

PopUp Bagels, the Connecticut-born bagel brand known for its “Grip, Rip and Dip” style of serving hot, whole bagels with rotating schmears, is officially coming to Rhode Island.

The company will open its first Ocean State location at Garden City Center in Cranston, marking the brand’s Rhode Island debut and another step in its New England expansion, on Friday May 29th.

PopUp Bagels launched in Connecticut in 2021 and has grown from founder Adam Goldberg’s backyard window into a national brand with locations in several states. The company has built a following around a different kind of bagel experience: no sliced bagels, no sandwiches — just hot, whole bagels meant to be pulled apart and dipped into cream cheeses and butters.

“As we expand along the East Coast, we’re excited to open our first Rhode Island shop at Cranston’s Garden City Center,” said PopUp Bagels CEO Tory Bartlett. “This location brings our signature hot bagels and high-energy experience to a new market as we continue growing in New England.”

The Rhode Island opening is being supported by P.C. Mae Inc., a quick-service restaurant group co-founded by Brandon Henry and Jamie Lissette. The company is helping bring PopUp Bagels across New England, with additional locations planned in Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Western Massachusetts.

“Cranston is exactly the kind of community we have been looking for — food-passionate, tight-knit, and genuinely excited about great food,” said Brandon Henry of P.C. Mae. “We can’t wait to bring hot, fresh PopUp bagels to Cranston and the broader Rhode Island community. Cranston, get ready to Grip, Rip and Dip.”

The new Cranston shop is expected to offer walk-in service, advance ordering and catering. The menu will feature the company’s hot-out-of-the-oven bagels, along with rotating weekly schmears and butters.

Joe Koechel, manager of Garden City Center, said “We are thrilled to welcome PopUp Bagels to Garden City Center and introduce their one-of-a-kind bagel experience to Rhode Island. Their energy, product, and community-driven approach make for a perfect fit among our collection of beloved food and beverage offerings.”

PopUp Bagels describes its approach as simple and focused: fresh bagels with crispy crusts, soft centers and a no-frills presentation built around sharing. The company has also become known for collaborations with chefs, brands and tastemakers on specialty schmears.

P.C. Mae Inc. said its broader goal is to bring the PopUp Bagels concept throughout New England while focusing on hospitality, operations and local community connection.

ABOUT POPUP BAGELS

At PopUp Bagels, our mission is fueled by passion and dedication: to craft unmistakably perfect bagels with no frills, using the essence of simplicity – crispy crusts, soft crumb centers, and an ideal proportion of seeds. Every bagel is a product of precision, from the high-quality ingredients in our dough to the meticulous proofing process and expert bake that achieves the perfect texture and flavor. Our commitment to quality goes beyond the bagel itself – innovating with top brands, chefs, and tastemakers to create epic schmears that elevate the cream cheese experience with bold, unexpected flavors.

What started as a local sensation, founded by Adam Goldberg in Westport, CT, has quickly grown into a celebrated name. It has earned acclaim from bagel lovers and industry experts alike and led to a nationwide expansion. No sandwiches here – we serve our bagels fresh from the oven, hot and whole, to Grip, Rip and Dip. Loyal fans enjoy our bagels right from the bag, or they can be taken home or to the park to enjoy in endless ways. Follow our story on Instagram or our website, and come try for yourself how every bagel crafted is a testament to our commitment to perfection.