Fairmount Bagel facts for kids
Fairmount Bagel is a famous bakery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It's known for making delicious Montreal-style bagels. The bakery is located in the Mile End area of the Plateau-Mont-Royal part of the city.
The first Fairmount Bagel shop opened on September 7, 1919. It was started by Isadore Shlafman on Saint-Laurent Boulevard. The bakery later moved to its current spot at 74 Fairmount Avenue West in 1949. Fairmount Bagel is still a family-run business today.
Contents
The Story of Fairmount Bagel
How Bagels Came to Montreal
Bagels were first brought to North America by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, especially Poland. The word "beugel" was originally a traditional gift. It was given to the King of Poland, John III Sobieski, and later often given to new mothers.
From there, bagels were sold on the streets of Russia and called "bublik". In the early 1900s, these bagels were mostly made and sold within the Jewish communities in Montreal. By the 1970s, Montreal bagels became very popular. They were even made in large amounts to be sold outside of Canada.
Fairmount Bakery's Beginnings
Fairmount Bagel was the first bakery of its kind in Montreal. Isadore Shlafman, who people called Grandfather Isadore, moved from Russia to Canada. He opened his bakery in 1919. It was first called the Montreal Bagel Bakery.
In 1949, Isadore moved the bakery from Saint-Laurent to a small house on Fairmount Avenue. The bakery was on the first floor, and the family lived upstairs. They changed the name to "The Original Fairmount Bagel Bakery" to match the new location.
Since it opened, Fairmount Bagel has stayed a family business. Grandfather Isadore passed the bakery to his son, Jack Shlafman. Jack then passed it down to his son, Irwin Shlafman.
What Makes Montreal Bagels Special?
Montreal-style bagels are different from New York style bagels. They are usually smaller, less chewy, and a bit sweeter. They are also made with honey and malt syrup, which gives them a unique taste.
The process to make these bagels is special. First, the dough is rolled by hand. Then, the bagels are put into boiling water for about 3 minutes. After that, they are baked in a wood-fired oven for 20 minutes. This baking method gives them their special flavor and texture.
At Fairmount Bagel, sesame bagels are the most popular, making up 70 percent of their sales. But they also sell many other fresh products. You can also buy different "schmears," like tubs of cream cheese, to put on your bagels.
Fairmount Bagel in the News
Bagels in Space!
In May 2008, something amazing happened! Astronaut Greg Chamitoff took Fairmount Bagels with him into space. Greg Chamitoff is the nephew of the bakery's owner. He brought the bagels on his mission, STS-124, to the International Space Station. Imagine eating a bagel while floating in space!
The Future of Wood-Fired Ovens
There was some worry that new environmental rules might stop bakeries from using wood-burning ovens. These ovens are very important for making Montreal bagels taste special. However, the good news is that existing ovens, like the one at Fairmount Bagel, are allowed to keep operating under the new rules. So, the unique taste of Montreal bagels is safe for now.
A Documentary About Fairmount Bagel
Two filmmakers, Jonathan Keijser and Daniel Beresh, made a documentary about Fairmount Bagel. They called it "Bagels in the Blood." They spent time in Montreal and were inspired by the bakery's story.
See also
- Historic Jewish Quarter, Montreal
- List of Ashkenazi Jewish restaurants
- List of bakeries
- Schwartz's
- Wilensky's
- St-Viateur Bagel
