The rain didn't damper the success of the first day of business for D'Alessio's Bagel Express on Route 36 in Leonardo.
Middletown Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger dropped by Thursday to mark the occasion with a proclamation welcoming the business to the community.
Bagel Express, owned by brothers Lou and Mike D'Alessio, offers a wide variety of items from fresh baked bagels, muffins and brownies to eggs, cheesesteaks and salads. The deli sandwiches also boast local names such as the Leonardo, which is packed with turkey, ham and cheese, or the spicier Belford, which is loaded with buffalo sauce, chicken, bacon, bleu cheese and roumalade.
Bagels have always been the family business, explained Lou.
"My dad opened his first bagel store in 1971," he said.
Lou and Mike, who both graduated from Middletown South and still live in the area, ran 114 Main Street Bagel in Woodbridge until the opportunity arose to bring their business home.
"When this location opened, we jumped on it," Lou said.
Bagel Express is open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on Route 36 in Leonardo just north of Avenue D.
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